Suspected Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Solo and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police Say.
The pair of accused individuals who carried out the deadly incident at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, according to Australian police.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the main city Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Authorities have stated the pair did not partake in any type of terrorist training or "planning" during their time in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from Philippine authorities indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The incidentâdescribed as Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996âhas been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the evidence," she stated, explaining that initial assessments show that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett informed media on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to suggest these suspects were members of a wider organization, or were directed by external parties to perpetrate an incident," she stated.
Yet, the pair were also not necessarily in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official clarified. She emphasized that, since the probe is still active, additional details may surface.
Inspiration and Court Proceedings
Earlier, Australian leader Anthony Albanese said it seems both accused attackers were "inspired by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveedâboth armed with firearmsâare accused of having opened fire on guests at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These encompass 15 charges of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The two had declared the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest southern island. Historically, Militant fighters have reportedly be active in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
