Australian authorities continue to uncover new details about the father–son pair accused of carrying out the horrific Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, which killed 15 people and left 25 injured. The suspects, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, were Pakistan-origin men, according to Philippine immigration officials. Philippine immigration authorities said the father and son visited the country in November and traveled on Indian passports, news agency Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Their trip to the Philippines in November is now a key part of the transnational investigation.
Travel to Philippines Under Scrutiny
Philippine immigration authorities confirmed that the two men arrived in the country on November 1 and stayed until November 28, listing Davao as their final destination. They flew from Davao to Manila before boarding a flight to Sydney.
The Philippines has launched a formal investigation into their travel, especially after ABC News reported that the pair allegedly underwent “military-style training” during their visit. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the travel but said the purpose of the trip is still under investigation. He noted that there was no intelligence alert raised at the time they travelled, rejecting claims of a security lapse.
Weapons, Explosives and ISIS-Linked Flags Found
A car registered to Naveed Akram contained improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and two homemade ISIS-linked flags, according to New South Wales authorities. ISIS is classified as a terrorist organisation in Australia and several other countries.
The suspects had allegedly told their family they were going on a fishing trip, but investigators found they were instead staying at a short-term rental property in Campsie, where they were believed to have planned the attack. Counterterrorism officers seized two firearms from the residence.
Motivation: “Ideology of Hate”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said early indications suggest the pair were radicalised by the “ideology of hate” associated with the Islamic State. Albanese revealed that Naveed had previously come to the attention of intelligence services in 2019, but was not assessed as a threat at the time. Multiple interviews were conducted with Naveed, his family, and associates, yet no red flags were found that warranted surveillance.
Background of the Suspects
Sajid, who arrived in Australia in 1998 as a student, later obtained a resident return visa. According to police, he legally owned six firearms used for recreational hunting. Several of these weapons were taken to Bondi Beach for the attack. Sajid was shot dead at the scene.
Naveed, described as an unemployed bricklayer, survived the initial confrontation before being apprehended.
Attack Targeted Jewish Community
The attackers targeted Jewish attendees at a Hanukkah celebration, killing individuals including a 10-year-old girl, a retired police officer, a British-born rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor. Twenty-five others remain hospitalised, with six in critical condition.
Bondi Beach and its surrounding areas remain an active crime scene as forensic teams continue ballistic examinations. Authorities expect the area to reopen once investigations conclude.
