Alleged Bondi Attackers Operated Solo and Received No Training in the Philippines, Police State.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the lethal attack at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, per Australian law enforcement.
Investigators also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Stay
Authorities assert the pair did not partake in any type of attack-related training or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial investigations from local authorities suggest they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attack—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are actively reviewing the evidence," she said, adding that preliminary reviews indicate that "the two men are believed to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these suspects were members of a wider network, or were acting on orders from others to execute an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett said.
But, the men were also not in the Philippines for tourism, she clarified. She emphasized that, as the inquiry is still active, new evidence may surface.
Inspiration and Court Charges
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by Islamic State" ideology.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 charges. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had declared the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. Historically, Islamist groups have reportedly operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
