Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, has been formally charged with a total of 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. The attack, which targeted Australia's Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration, was the country's deadliest shooting since 1996.
Naveed Akram was charged with 15 counts of murder, one count of committing a terrorist act, 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, and one charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
Akram was critically injured during the attack and had his first hearing from his hospital bedside. The case has been adjourned until April 2026. Police are waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning him to ensure he understands the proceedings.
Fifteen people were killed, including two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl named Matilda.3 Twenty people remain hospitalized, with one person in critical condition. One of the injured police officers, Jack Hibbert (22), has lost vision in one eye.
New South Wales Police designated the incident a terrorist act, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the attack appears to have been "motivated by Islamic State" group ideology.
The other gunman, Naveed's father Sajid Akram (50), was killed at the scene in a shootout with police.
It was revealed that the father and son traveled to the Philippines from November 1 to November 28, with their final destination being the city of Davao. Naveed used an Australian passport, while Sajid used an Indian passport. Sajid was originally from Hyderabad, India, but had limited contact with his family there.
The first funeral was held for British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had helped organize the Hanukkah event.
The Jewish community has criticized PM Albanese for not taking enough action on antisemitism. Albanese defended his record, citing the appointment of an antisemitism envoy and toughened hate speech laws.
