The man accused of carrying out a deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives and left 40 injured, now faces a total of 59 criminal charges. Naveed Akram, 24, was formally charged on Wednesday after awakening from a coma.
Details of the Attack and Charges
The horrific incident occurred at approximately 6.40pm on Sunday during the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, which marked the first night of Hanukkah. Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly opened fire on the gathered crowd. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
Sajid Akram was killed in a subsequent shootout with police, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and hospitalised. After regaining consciousness, Akram was interviewed by police, leading to the extensive list of charges.
The 50 charges include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and single counts of committing a terrorist act, discharging a firearm in public, causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol, and placing an explosive with intent to cause harm.
Court Appearance and Police Investigation
Akram's case was mentioned in an online court hearing on Wednesday, where he was represented by Legal Aid. He did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 8 next year.
Police revealed that Akram first came to the attention of counterterrorism authorities six years ago but was never charged. A key part of the ongoing investigation will focus on a recent trip the Akrams took to a terrorist hotspot in the Philippines, specifically the Mindanao region where Islamic State extremists operate. The pair arrived in Manila in early November and returned to Australia only weeks before the attack.
A Community in Mourning
As floral tributes continue to grow at Bondi, a heartbreaking procession of funerals has begun for the 15 victims. The first service was for Ellie Schlanger, known as the Bondi Rabbi, remembered as a man devoted to his faith and his family, including his newborn fifth child.
The second funeral honoured Reuven Morrison, a father and businessman hailed as a hero for reportedly hurling bricks at gunman Sajid Akram during the attack. The third was for Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a pillar of the community and father of four.
The community now prepares to lay to rest the attack's youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, at a funeral on Thursday. The tragedy has sparked national conversations about community safety, radicalisation, and the need for cultural changes to tackle hatred.
