A surviving suspect in Sunday's Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney faces a sweeping indictment, including 59 charges with 15 counts of murder and a single charge of committing a terrorist act, according to New South Wales Police. The other gunman, his father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed after a gun battle with officers at the scene.
Fifteen people lost their lives and many others were wounded in an attack that struck at a Hanukkah event marking the Jewish community’s first night celebration. It stands as Australia’s deadliest shooting since 1996.
Naveed Akram also faces 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, along with a charge for displaying a prohibited terrorist organization symbol publicly. He sustained critical injuries during the incident and appeared at his initial hearing from his hospital bed, according to the New South Wales court.
The court has adjourned the case until April 2026.
Earlier this week, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators planned to question Akram once his pain medication wore off, noting that "for fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening".
As of now, twenty people injured in the attack remain in hospitals around Sydney, with one in a critical condition.
Police have classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated the act appears to be driven by Islamic State ideology. Investigators reported finding homemade Islamic State flags and improvised explosive devices in the vehicle used by the gunmen.
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