Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Training in the Philippines, Authorities Say.
The two suspected gunmen who carried out the lethal attack at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, as stated by national law enforcement.
Investigators also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Trip
Authorities assert the pair did not partake in any form of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Early inquiries from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—described as Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally designated a act of terrorism.
"We are currently examining the footage," the commissioner stated, adding that initial reviews suggest that "the two men are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to indicate these suspects were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to carry out an incident," she stated.
But, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett clarified. She emphasized that, given that the inquiry is still active, additional details might emerge.
Motivation and Court Charges
Earlier, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused attackers were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
Immigration Details
In the wake following the attack, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Islamist groups have been known to be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
