Australian police have charged a 24-year-old man with 59 criminal offences following a mass shooting at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
Naveed Akram, 24, who survived a shootout with police, was charged on Wednesday after waking from a coma and remains in hospital under police guard.
Among the charges are 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, with investigators alleging the attack was “inspired by ISIS”.
New South Wales Police said Akram was charged following “extensive inquiries under Operation Arques”, according to a police statement.
The statement said: “Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community. Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.”
Akram did not apply for bail and is due to face court again on 8 April.
The charges include 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, placing an explosive near a building, discharging a firearm to cause grievous bodily harm, and publicly displaying a terrorist symbol.
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The attack took place on Sunday 14 December during an event marking the start of the eight-day Jewish Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach.
Police said Akram carried out the attack alongside his father, Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by officers at the scene.
Seventeen people remained in hospital with injuries as of Wednesday.
The charges came a day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack appeared to have been inspired by the “Islamic State” group.
Investigators allege the pair drove around 20 kilometres to Bondi Beach with weapons and explosives in their car.
Police said four registered firearms, improvised explosive devices, and two homemade ISIS flags were found inside the vehicle.
Threat assessment
Days earlier, Albanese confirmed authorities had previously assessed Akram in 2019.
“[Akram] was examined on the basis of being associated with others,” Albanese said.
“The assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence.”
In late June 2019, a 17-year-old Akram had been seen outside Bankstown train station in western Sydney taking part in street dawah (proselytising).
He later completed vocational training and began an apprenticeship as a bricklayer, his only known employment.
Police said this period marked the only time either Akram or his father came to the attention of authorities before the attack.
Sajid Akram was granted a firearms licence in 2023 and went on to acquire six guns over the following two years.
Authorities in Manila said that on 1 November, Akram and his father travelled to the Philippines for four weeks.
Their destination was listed as Davao, a city close to a known militant hotspot in the country’s south.
Investigators say what they did there remains under examination.
The Akram family
Naveed Akram and Sajid Akram are of Indian descent, while Naveed’s mother is of Italian heritage.
Those who knew Akram said he was particularly close to his father following his parents’ separation.
Sajid arrived in Australia from India on a student visa in 1998 and later became a permanent resident.
He was originally from Hyderabad, where police said family members appeared unaware of any alleged radical views.
According to Reuters, Sajid held a commerce degree and returned to India only six times in 27 years. Police said he did not return when his father died.
The investigation into the Bondi Beach attack continues, with authorities examining evidence, motives and overseas connections.
