Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, New South Wales Police have confirmed.
The attack, which targeted Australia’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration, left 15 people dead and dozens injured, making it the country’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.
Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed during an exchange of fire with police at the scene. Authorities said the younger Akram also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, as well as one charge related to the public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
Critically injured during the incident, Akram appeared for his first court hearing from his hospital bed. The New South Wales court said the case has been adjourned until April 2026.
Earlier, Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were waiting for Akram’s medication to wear off before questioning him.
“For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.
Police have formally designated the shooting a terrorist incident. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack appeared to have been “motivated by Islamic State” group ideology.
Twenty people remain hospitalised across Sydney, with one still in critical condition. Among those injured were two police officers. One officer, 22-year-old Jack Hibbert, has lost vision in one eye and faces a “long and challenging recovery”, his family said.
Investigations have revealed that Naveed Akram and his father travelled to the Philippines in November. Philippine immigration authorities told the BBC they were in the country from November 1 to November 28, with their final destination being Davao. Naveed travelled on an Australian passport, while Sajid used an Indian passport.
Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad in southern India and had “limited contact” with family there, according to police in Telangana state.
Victims of the attack included two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl, Matilda. Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were filmed wrestling with one of the gunmen during the early moments of the attack, were also among those killed.
On Wednesday, thousands gathered for the funeral of British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the first burial held for victims of the shooting. Speaking at the service, Rabbi Levi Wolff described the loss as an “unspeakable loss” for the community.
“Eli was ripped away from us, doing what he loved best,” Wolff said.
“Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls.”
Rabbi Schlanger had helped organise the Hanukkah event. Funerals for other victims, including Matilda, are expected in the coming days.
Prime Minister Albanese, who did not attend the funeral, defended his record on antisemitism following criticism from the Jewish community, citing measures including the appointment of Australia’s first antisemitism envoy, tougher hate speech laws, and increased funding for Jewish institutions and social cohesion programmes.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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