Bondi terror attack: 24-year-old shooter charged with 59 offenses
What's the story
Naveed Akram (24), the Bondi attacker who survived a shootout with police has been charged with 59 offenses after waking from his coma on Tuesday. According to reports, cops were waiting for him to be mentally oriented so he could grasp the processes before proceeding lawfully. The charges include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Naveed and his father, Sajid, had opened fire on attendees celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday, killing 15 people.
Attack overview
Details of charges
The matter has been scheduled to be heard in court on Wednesday afternoon. Among the 59 charges confirmed by court staff are one count of committing a terrorist act, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, one count of placing an explosive in or near a building, a charge of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and a charge of publicly displaying a terrorist symbol.
Terrorism connection
Investigation reveals potential links to Islamic State
Among the 15 deceased was a 10-year-old child and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was was a key organizer of the Hanukkah by the Sea event. Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has condemned the attack as an act of pure evil and antisemitism. He also suggested that it might have been inspired by the Islamic State. The New South Wales police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said both Naveed and Sajid traveled to the Philippines last month before returning on November 28.
Investigation progress
Evidence found in Naveed's vehicle
Authorities found improvised explosive devices and two homemade Islamic State flags in a car registered to Naveed, parked near the shooting scene. Investigators are looking into whether the two gunmen in the Sydney Bondi Beach massacre met extremist Islamic preachers and got military-style training in the Philippines last month. Family members of Sajid, originally from Hyderabad, said he had moved to Australia 27 years ago and that they had cut ties with him after he married a Christian woman.