By Harshit
SYDNEY, Dec. 17 —
Charges Filed Against Surviving Gunman
New South Wales Police have charged Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach, with 59 criminal offences, including 15 counts of murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act, authorities said.
The second gunman, identified as Akram’s father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed during a gunfight with police at the scene.
The attack left 15 people dead and dozens injured, making it Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.
Terrorist Attack Targeting Jewish Community
Police confirmed the shooting targeted Australia’s Jewish community during a public event marking the first night of Hanukkah.
Authorities formally designated the incident a terrorist attack, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the violence appears to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology.
“This was an act of terrorism aimed at spreading fear and hatred,” Albanese said earlier this week.
Details of the Charges
In addition to murder and terrorism offences, Akram faces:
- 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder
- One charge related to the public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol
Police said the scale of charges reflects the number of victims and severity of the attack.
First Court Appearance From Hospital Bed
Akram, who was critically injured during the shooting, made his first court appearance from his hospital bed, according to the New South Wales court system.
The case has been adjourned until April 2026, police said.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated investigators are waiting for medications to wear off before conducting a formal interview.
“For fairness, we need him to understand exactly what is happening,” Lanyon said.
Victims and Ongoing Medical Care
As of Wednesday, 20 injured victims remain hospitalized across Sydney, with one person still in critical condition, health officials confirmed.
Emergency services have described the scene as one of the most traumatic incidents they have responded to in decades.
Evidence Recovered at the Scene
Police said they discovered:
- Homemade Islamic State flags
- Improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
inside the vehicle used by the attackers.
Bomb disposal units were deployed as a precaution, and no further explosive threats were found.
International Travel Raises Further Questions
Authorities revealed that father and son traveled to the Philippines roughly one month before the attack.
According to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration:
- They were in the country from November 1 to November 28
- Their destination was Davao City, in the country’s south
Naveed Akram entered using an Australian passport, while Sajid Akram travelled on an Indian passport, officials said.
Background of the Deceased Gunman
Indian police confirmed Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad, in the southern Indian state of Telangana, but had limited contact with family members there in recent years.
Authorities in Australia, India, and the Philippines are continuing to cooperate as part of the broader investigation.
National Mourning and Security Review
The attack has triggered nationwide mourning and renewed debate over counterterrorism monitoring, extremism, and public event security.
Security around religious sites and public gatherings has been heightened across Australia as investigators work to determine whether others were involved.