Australian police have charged Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, with 59 criminal offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, New South Wales police said on Wednesday.
The attack, which targeted Australia’s Jewish community during a public 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 at the scene during an exchange of fire with police.
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According to police, the charges against Naveed Akram also include 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and one count of displaying a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol. He was critically injured during the attack and appeared for his first court hearing from his hospital bed. The case has been adjourned until April 2026, the New South Wales court said.
Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner, said officers were waiting for the medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram. “For his fairness, we need him to understand exactly what is happening,” Lanyon said.
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Police have formally declared the shooting a terrorist incident. Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister, said investigators believe the attack was motivated by Islamic State ideology, according to the BBC.
Among those killed were two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl, Matilda, whose family confirmed her death. Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple filmed confronting one of the gunmen in the early moments of the attack, were also among the victims. More than 20 people remain in hospital, including a police officer who has lost vision in one eye.
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The BBC reported that investigators are examining the movements of the suspects overseas after it emerged that Naveed Akram and his father travelled to the Philippines in November, spending nearly four weeks in the country before returning to Australia.
As Sydney mourns, funerals for the victims have begun. Thousands gathered on Wednesday to honour Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of those killed, with more services expected in the coming days, including for the youngest victim. The tragedy has intensified debate over antisemitism and public safety, as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the attack, the BBC said.
