Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Authorities Confirm.
The two alleged gunmen responsible for the deadly attack at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly been lone actors, according to national law enforcement.
Investigators further stated that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Training During Trip
Investigators assert the individuals did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "organizing" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary investigations from Philippine officials indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The incident—described as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"We are actively analyzing the footage," she said, adding that initial evaluations suggest that "the two men are believed to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these alleged offenders were members of a larger organization, or were instructed by external parties to perpetrate an incident," she emphasized.
But, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She stressed that, since the inquiry is continuing, additional details might emerge.
Inspiration and Legal Charges
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly shot participants at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Details
In the days 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 duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. The region is known because, Militant militants have been known to operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
