Bondi Beach Terror Attack Suspect Faces 19 New Charges Over Deadly Hanukkah Shooting
A man accused of perpetrating one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings has been hit with 19 additional criminal charges, Reuters reports. The horrific attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach last December claimed the lives of 15 people and was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State terror group.
Naveed Akram, 24, was initially hit with 59 charges in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. During a court appearance in Sydney on Wednesday, his defence lawyer Leonie Gittani confirmed that authorities had filed a further 19 offences against her client.
According to official court records, the newly filed allegations include:
- 10 counts of shooting with intent to murder
- Six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest
- Three counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder
These join a massive original charge sheet that included 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and a designated terror offence. Akram has not yet entered a formal plea regarding any of the allegations.
The Bondi Beach tragedy
The deadly assault took place during a peaceful Hanukkah celebration late last year. Police identified Akram and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, as the perpetrators behind the violence. Sajid was ultimately shot and killed by responding police officers at the scene of the massacre.
The incident profoundly shocked the nation. Australia is globally recognised for its exceptionally strict firearms legislation, but the sheer scale and brutality of this incident has sparked intense public debate and demands for further action.
In the wake of the terror attack, there have been renewed domestic calls for even tighter gun controls and immediate, decisive measures to combat rising antisemitism.
In response to the public outcry, the Australian government has initiated a comprehensive, state-backed inquiry to examine antisemitism and broader social cohesion across the country. The official findings and recommendations from the investigation are expected to be published by December.
