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Melbourne 30 December: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is intensifying its investigation into the overseas movements of Naveed and Sajid Akram, the two men accused of carrying out the deadly Bondi terror attack, by closely examining CCTV footage from their recent trip to the Philippines.
The father and son are alleged to have opened fire on crowds attending the Chanukah by the Sea event in Bondi on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram has been charged with 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and several other offences.
Attention has now turned to a trip the pair made to the Philippines just a month before the attack. They reportedly stayed in Davao, a region that has long struggled with Islamic extremism. According to early accounts from hotel staff and CCTV footage, the two men spent much of their time inside their hotel room, raising further questions about the purpose of their visit.
Naveed and Sajid Akram are accused of carrying out the fatal Bondi attack that claimed 15 lives. Photo: colected.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators currently believe the pair acted alone and were not part of a wider terrorist network. “The assessment at this stage is that these individuals are alleged to have acted alone. There is no evidence to suggest they were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed,” she said. “However, I want to be clear, I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism.”
Ms Barrett stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that more information could still emerge as officers continue to review footage and intelligence. “This is a point in time assessment. There is still significant investigative work to be done, and new evidence may yet come to light,” she said.
Authorities are also examining whether the father and son received any support from ISIS-linked individuals while they were in Australia. An AFP intelligence analyst has been deployed to the Philippines to work alongside local authorities and the Philippine National Police to assist with the inquiry.
The AFP has also been reviewing extremist sermons and online material in the wake of the attack, focusing on individuals suspected of inciting hatred against the Jewish community. “We have gone through the sermons line by line, sought expert opinions and legal advice, and are assessing who may be charged for inciting hatred and fear,” Ms Barrett said.
The Albanese government is moving to strengthen Australia’s hate speech and extremism laws, including creating a new federal offence for serious racial vilification and the advocacy of racial supremacy. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said current laws make it difficult to prosecute hate preachers unless they directly incite violence.
“Until now, the law has treated hatred and violence as separate issues,” Mr Burke said. “We are changing that. What these hate preachers have been saying is simply unacceptable, and we want it to be illegal and criminal under Australian law.”
The proposed changes are aimed at giving law enforcement stronger tools to act against extremist figures who promote division, hatred and violence on Australian soil.
