Accused Bondi Gunmen Acted Solo and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Police State.
The pair of accused gunmen who carried out the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have been lone actors, according to Australian law enforcement.
Authorities additionally revealed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Stay
Authorities indicate the individuals did not undergo any type of terrorist coaching or "organizing" during their visit in the Philippines. Early findings from local officials indicate they "hardly ventured out of" their accommodation.
The incident—declared Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are currently analyzing the material," she said, adding that initial reviews indicate that "these individuals are alleged to have acted alone."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the accused attackers' whereabouts in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to support the idea these alleged offenders were affiliated with a larger terrorist cell, or were instructed by others to execute an incident," she emphasized.
However, the pair were also not necessarily in the Philippines for tourism, she noted. She stressed that, since the investigation is ongoing, additional details might emerge.
Ideology and Court Proceedings
Previously, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused gunmen were "motivated by ISIS" beliefs.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was killed by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—allegedly shot attendees at the Hanukkah celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is expected to face court in April.
Travel Information
In the wake following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an domestic passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their pre-arranged journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist groups have reportedly be active in poorer parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
