Naveed Akram, lone surviving suspect in Sunday’s massacre at Bondi Beach in Sydney, was charged Wednesday with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
Forty counts of causing wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder are also on the charge sheet, New South Wales Police confirmed per the ABC News outlet.
Naveed Akram remains in hospital under police guard. The other gunman, his India-born immigrant father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in an exchange of fire with police at the scene.
Fifteen people were murdered and dozens more injured in the attack, which directly targeted Australia’s Jewish community at an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, as Breitbart News reported.
The case against Naveed Akram has been adjourned until April 2026.
Police investigators now say early indications pointed to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.
Two homemade Islamic State flags were found in a car registered to Naveed and parked near the iconic beach.
“Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” a NSW Police statement said.
The police investigation, which has been described as “massive” and “complex”, is ongoing.
Among those killed in the attack were two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl, named by her family as Matilda.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.