The legal proceedings against the young man accused of participating in Australia's most lethal terrorist incident alongside his father are expected to span several years before reaching a potential trial.
Charges Laid After Emerging from Coma
Naveed Akram, 24, was formally charged with 59 criminal offences on Wednesday after regaining consciousness from a medically induced coma. The charges include murder, wounding, and terrorism-related counts.
Police allege that Akram and his 50-year-old father, Sajid, opened fire on innocent civilians at Sydney's Bondi Beach around 6:40 pm last Sunday. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of 15 people, with a further 40 individuals sustaining injuries. Sajid Akram was killed at the scene during the incident.
A Protracted and Complex Legal Journey Ahead
Legal experts warn that the extensive nature of the allegations will lead to a drawn-out and intricate court process. Criminal defence lawyer Jahan Kalantar told Sunrise that the public should prepare for a timeline longer than many anticipate.
"Budget between two to three years for the police to complete their investigation, for him to be advised of his rights and potentially either plead guilty or plead not guilty," Kalantar stated.
He highlighted the evidentiary challenges ahead, noting the need to meticulously match specific firearms to individual victims and analyse forensic links. "It will be very difficult and it's going to be challenging from an evidentiary basis," he explained.
Challenges in Securing Legal Representation
Akram is currently being represented by Legal Aid, as reports indicate he has faced significant difficulty in finding a private lawyer willing to take his case. Kalantar commented on the professional duty involved, stating a lawyer who eventually takes on the representation deserves respect for undertaking a profoundly difficult task.
However, in a personal social media video, Kalantar revealed he himself would not represent Akram if asked, despite his strong belief in the right to a robust defence. "I'm so affected by this, people I know personally are so affected, I cannot put aside that and do my job objectively," he said, describing it as a potential "weakness of character" but an impassable personal barrier.
Akram's case is scheduled for its first mention in a local Sydney court on Monday, marking the initial step in what is predicted to be a lengthy judicial journey.
