Suspected Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Alone and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The pair of accused attackers who carried out the lethal incident at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to Australian police.
Authorities additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the capital Manila before transiting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Preparation During Trip
Investigators indicate the pair did not partake in any type of attack-related instruction or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial findings from local authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently examining the evidence," the commissioner stated, explaining that early assessments indicate that "the alleged offenders are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to Australian investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by overseas entities to perpetrate an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett said.
Yet, the pair were likewise not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, the official added. She emphasized that, given that the investigation is continuing, new evidence might surface.
Ideology and Court Charges
Previously, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both alleged attackers were "inspired by ISIS" 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 attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines reported that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect 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 sprawling urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary southern island. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have been known to operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
