Suspected Bondi Gunmen Operated Independently and Received No Training in the Philippines, Authorities State.
The pair of accused attackers who carried out the deadly incident at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, reportedly operated independently, as stated by national police.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included arriving in the main city Manila before connecting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Investigators indicate the pair did not receive any form of terrorist instruction or "logistical preparation" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996—has been officially classified as a terrorist incident.
"We are currently examining the material," she said, adding that initial reviews show that "the two men are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"There is little to no indication to suggest these alleged offenders were members of a broader network, or were directed by overseas entities to perpetrate an incident," the police chief emphasized.
But, the pair were additionally not in the Philippines for tourism, she clarified. She emphasized that, as the investigation is continuing, new evidence might come to light.
Motivation and Legal Charges
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both alleged gunmen were "influenced by ISIS" ideology.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—are accused of having targeted participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 charges of murder and one count of committing a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the attack, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The duo had stated the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their pre-arranged return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. Historically, Islamist fighters have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
