One of the two perpetrators of the Bondi Hanukkah massacre, who survived an exchange of fire with law enforcement, was officially charged with 59 counts, comprising 15 murder charges and one terrorist act accusation that investigators suggest was "inspired by the Islamic State", according to The Guardian.
New South Wales authorities announced the decision to lay the charges against the 24-year-old Naveed Akram on Wednesday. "Following extensive inquiries under Operation Arques … investigators attended a hospital where they charged a 24-year-old Bonnyrigg man with 59 offences." Akram, who was injured by law enforcement officials when they intervened in the shooting, was admitted to a hospital and was in a coma, preventing proper questioning. On Tuesday morning, he woke up and the case was heard in court the following afternoon.
"Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community," police said in a statement referencing the report. "Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia."
The defendant did not seek release on bail and is set for a subsequent hearing on April 8. The docket includes 40 counts of wounding with intent to kill, positioning an explosive device, discharging a firearm to inflict grievous bodily injury, and exhibiting a terrorist symbol.
Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram targeted a gathering marking the commencement of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Police revealed that Sajid – who was killed by officers during the incident – had legally acquired the weaponry deployed in the assault. The rampage claimed 15 lives, including that of a 10-year-old child, leaving another 20 victims in hospital care as of Wednesday. Officials designated the tragedy a terrorist act on the night of the occurrence.
The legal action against Naveed arrived one day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese observed that the Sunday attack appeared to be motivated by the Islamic State, the report concluded.
