Accused Bondi Beach Attackers Operated Independently and Received No Training in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators State.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the deadly shooting at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to national authorities.
Investigators additionally revealed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram, and his son Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included landing in the capital Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The father and son returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Trip
Investigators assert the pair did not undergo any form of terrorist coaching or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Preliminary findings from local officials suggest they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The shooting—declared Australia's deadliest firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently reviewing the evidence," the commissioner said, explaining that preliminary evaluations suggest that "the alleged offenders are believed to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material tracking the accused attackers' activities in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.
"There is little to no indication to indicate these suspects were members of a wider terrorist cell, or were instructed by external parties to perpetrate an act of violence," she emphasized.
Yet, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she added. She emphasized that, given that the probe is ongoing, fresh information may surface.
Inspiration and Court Charges
In prior statements, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented it appears both accused attackers were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police. He and his son Naveed—both armed with rifles—allegedly targeted guests at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 charges. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to face court in April.
Immigration Particulars
In the days following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had stated 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' largest island in the south. Historically, Militant militants have been known to operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.