59 offences including terrorism charge
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 said.
His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in an exchange of fire with police at the scene.
The attack, which targeted Australia’s Jewish community during an event marking the first night of Hanukkah, left 15 people dead and dozens injured. It was the country’s deadliest shooting since 1996.
Court hearing from hospital bed
Police said 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, according to the New South Wales court. The case has been adjourned until April 2026.
Earlier on Wednesday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram.
“For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening,” Lanyon said.
Victims and ongoing hospitalisations
Twenty people injured in the attack remain in hospitals across Sydney, with one still in a critical condition.
Police have formally designated the incident a terrorist attack, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it appears to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Among those killed were two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl, named by her family only as Matilda.
Also among the victims were Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were filmed wrestling with one of the gunmen during the early stages of the attack.
Another 27 people were taken to hospital, including 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. The second officer remains hospitalised.
Travel history and investigations
On Tuesday, it emerged that Naveed Akram and his father had travelled to the Philippines in November. The Philippine immigration bureau told the BBC they were in the country from 1 to 28 November, with their final destination being Davao.
Authorities said Naveed Akram travelled on an Australian passport, while his father used an Indian passport. Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad, in southern India, but had limited contact with family there, police in the Indian state of Telangana said.
Mourning and criticism
Thousands gathered on Wednesday morning to mourn British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, at the first funeral held for victims of the shooting. Rabbi Schlanger had helped organise Sunday’s Hanukkah event.
Prime Minister Albanese did not attend the funeral, later saying he attends events he is invited to. He also defended his government against criticism from the Jewish community over antisemitism, citing measures including the appointment of Australia’s first antisemitism envoy, tougher hate speech laws and increased funding for Jewish institutions.
Speaking at the funeral, Rabbi Levi Wolff described Rabbi Schlanger’s death as an “unspeakable loss” for the community.
Funerals for the remaining victims are expected to take place over the coming days, including for Matilda, whose funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
Source: BBC News
Also read: Bondi massacre sparks Australia’s toughest gun reforms yet
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