Alleged Bondi Attackers Acted Solo and Did Not Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators State.
The two suspected individuals responsible for the fatal incident at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, as stated by Australian police.
Police also confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son flew back to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Stay
Police assert the duo did not undergo any form of attack-related training or "planning" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine officials indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—described as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially declared a terrorist incident.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the evidence," the commissioner stated, adding that early reviews show that "the two men are alleged to have been lone actors."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed media on Tuesday that security camera video documenting the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been handed over to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were part of a larger terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to carry out an attack," the police chief said.
However, the pair were additionally not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, the official added. She stressed that, as the probe is continuing, additional details may surface.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—are accused of having shot guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Information
In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines indicated that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The duo had listed the metropolis of Davao as their final destination. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the eastern side of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. The region is known because, Islamist militants have reportedly be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
