Bondi Beach terror suspect ‘swore allegiance to Islamic State’ | World | News
Australia’s domestic intelligence service has reportedly previously investigated Bondi Beach attacker Naveed Akram for his alleged links to the Islamic State, The Telegraph reported.
24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father Sajid Akram were identified as the terror suspects behind the attack on Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney on Sunday evening local time.
Naveed Akram, a recently unemployed bricklayer, was placed on a watch list in 2019 and is believed to have pledged allegiance to the ISIS terror group, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. According to police, Sajid Akram, described as a small business owner, was also found to have a recreational hunting license and to have six guns, although his son was known to authorities.
ASIO and local police confirmed Naveed Akram was “known” to authorities but said he was not considered an “immediate” threat.
Weapons and police response
On Sunday, two men took to Australia’s most famous beach armed with long-armed rifles and homemade bombs before opening fire on hundreds of people gathered for “Hanukkah by the Sea.”
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Naveed Akram, who remained in hospital under armed guard, was expected to survive his injuries.
“What’s really important is to say that we have a 24-year-old male patient in the hospital right now,” the commissioner said Monday afternoon.
“Depending on the person’s health condition, it is possible that the person may face criminal charges.
“I am very careful not to undermine this person’s ability to appear in court.”
Foreign connections are being investigated
Israeli officials believe the terror attack in Sydney may have been caused by a foreign terrorist cell backed by Iran.
According to Israeli media reports, officials cited Iran as the prime suspect and said they were examining possible links to Hezbollah, Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Police also seized a black and white ISIS flag from a vehicle associated with the suspects while searching for explosives.
Victims and ongoing investigation
In one of the deadliest attacks in Australian history, 16 people, including one of the attackers, were killed and 42 people were hospitalized. The youngest victim, Matilda, was only 10 years old.
Sajid Akram was killed in a shootout with police after shooting at beachgoers for more than 10 minutes. His son remains in hospital under police guard.
Officers searched the family home at Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s west and the Airbnb in Campsie where the couple were staying.
Relatives said the men told them they would spend the weekend scuba diving and swimming.
Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any foreign involvement in the attack.
Intelligence sources said the attack appeared to be carefully planned and showed signs consistent with Unit 910, Hezbollah’s external operations arm.
Mother defended her armed son
Naveed Akram’s mother insisted that her son was a “good boy”.
Speaking as police surrounded the family’s home, Verena said he could not believe he had been involved in a terrorist attack.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “He doesn’t have a firearm. He doesn’t even go out. He doesn’t mingle with his friends. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go to bad places… he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise and that’s it.”
“Everyone wants to have a son like my son… he’s a good boy.”
