Suspected Bondi Shooters Acted Alone and Did Not Instruction in the Philippines, Investigators State.
The pair of accused attackers who carried out the lethal incident at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 lives, appear to have operated independently, according to Australian police.
Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, 24, flew to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary included arriving in the capital Manila before connecting on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Lack of Proof of Planning During Visit
Police have stated the pair did not partake in any type of attack-related coaching or "logistical preparation" during their time in the Philippines. Early inquiries from local officials point to they "hardly ventured out of" their hotel.
The attack—labeled as Australia's most severe firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially classified as a act of terrorism.
"Our teams are actively examining the material," she stated, adding that initial evaluations suggest that "the two men are alleged to have acted alone."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett briefed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been provided to domestic authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to support the idea these accused individuals were members of a broader organization, or were instructed by external parties to execute an act of violence," she stated.
Yet, the duo were likewise not necessarily in the Philippines as tourists, she added. She stressed that, as the investigation is ongoing, new evidence may surface.
Ideology and Legal Charges
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese remarked it looks as though both accused gunmen were "inspired by ISIS" beliefs.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with long-barrelled guns—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the shooting, has been charged with 59 crimes. These encompass 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He is due to face court in April.
Immigration Information
In the aftermath following the attack, immigration officials in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair had listed the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a large city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' largest island in the south. Historically, Militant militants have been known to operate in impoverished parts of central and south-western Mindanao.
