Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Independently and Did Not Undergo Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two alleged individuals who carried out the fatal attack at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to national law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Visit
Investigators indicate the pair did not receive any type of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The attack—declared Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the evidence," the commissioner said, adding that preliminary evaluations indicate that "these individuals are suspected to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage showing the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian investigators.
"There is little to no indication to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a wider network, or were acting on orders from others to perpetrate an act of violence," the police chief emphasized.
But, the men were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, she noted. She underscored that, given that the inquiry is continuing, new evidence might surface.
Ideology and Legal Proceedings
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was hospitalised after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to appear in court in April.
Travel Information
In the aftermath following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the father had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. It is noted that, Militant fighters have reportedly operate in less developed parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
