Australian police find no evidence of ‘broader terrorist cell’ in Bondi Beach antisemitic shooting

Australian police have found no evidence linking two men accused of a deadly Sydney shooting to a wider terrorist network following their investigation into the suspects’ recent trip to the Philippines.

The investigation, which extended to the southern Philippines, focused on Sydney residents Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who are accused of killing 15 people and wounding 40 others in a mass shooting at a Hannukah festival at Bondi Beach on December 14.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett revealed Tuesday that the father and son spent most of November in Davao City before returning to Australia on November 29, just two weeks before the alleged attack. The Philippine National Police determined the pair rarely left their hotel during their visit.

“There is no evidence to suggest they received training or underwent logistical preparation for their alleged attack,” Barrett told reporters. “These individuals are alleged to have acted alone. There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack.”

While Barrett declined to elaborate on the motive for their Philippines trip, which began on November 1, she emphasized they were not there as tourists. The commissioner noted that she was limited in what she could disclose to avoid prejudicing Naveed Akram’s upcoming trial.

Police believe the suspects were inspired by the Islamic State group. Historically, the southern Philippines has attracted small numbers of foreign militants aligned with IS or al-Qaida seeking training in the region’s Muslim secessionist conflict.

Naveed Akram has yet to enter pleas to numerous charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He was shot in the abdomen by police during the Bondi incident and spent a week in hospital before being transferred to prison. His father was killed by police at the scene.

In response to the attack, authorities are planning an unprecedented security presence for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. More than 2,500 officers will be deployed around Sydney Harbor, many openly carrying automatic rifles—an unusual sight in the city.

The first police responders to the Bondi massacre were armed only with Glock pistols, which lacked the lethal range of the rifles and shotguns allegedly used by the attackers. Two police officers were among those wounded.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns defended the enhanced security measures while rejecting suggestions that Australia is moving toward a more militarized police force.

“Given we’ve just had the worst terrorism event in Australia’s history inside the last month, it would be self-evidently the case that things need to change and the security needs to change,” Minns said. “I understand that there’ll be some people that oppose this or regard it as the militarization of the police. My sense is far more families would fully support that kind of police operation because they will feel far safer in that environment.”

The annual New Year’s Eve celebration typically draws more than one million people to Sydney Harbor to witness the iconic fireworks display. Minns emphasized the importance of proceeding with the event despite security concerns.

“It’s an opportunity to thumb our nose at the terrorists and their ideology that really would have us living in a ball and not celebrating this beautiful city. So this is an opportunity to live your life and show defiance to that kind of ideology,” he said.

The victims of the Bondi attack will be commemorated with a minute of silence at 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Four images of a menorah will be projected onto the Sydney Harbor Bridge’s pylons. The display was changed from the originally planned dove with the word “peace” after consultation with Jewish community representatives.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore confirmed the change, stating, “I continue to listen to the community to ensure the acknowledgement of the horrific attack at Bondi Beach during New Year’s Eve is appropriate.”