Accused Bondi Beach Attackers Acted Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators Confirm.
The two suspected individuals responsible for the deadly attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have operated independently, per national police.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Training During Trip
Investigators indicate the individuals did not undergo any form of terrorist training or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Early findings from Philippine officials point to they "mostly stayed in" their hotel.
The attack—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally classified as a act of terrorism.
"We are actively reviewing the material," she stated, explaining that early assessments indicate that "the alleged offenders are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's whereabouts in the Philippines had been handed over to Australian authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to execute an act of violence," Commissioner Barrett said.
However, the men were also not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, the official noted. She underscored that, since the probe is continuing, new evidence may surface.
Motivation and Legal Proceedings
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused attackers were "influenced by the so-called Islamic State" ideology.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with rifles—are accused of having shot participants at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These comprise 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Travel Details
In the wake following the attack, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had arrived in the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The two had listed the metropolis of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Islamist militants have been known to be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
