Bondi shooting: Sajid, Naveed Akram allegedly waited for ISIS jihadist in Philippines hotel room
New details have emerged about Naveed and Sajid Akram’s movements before the deadly anti-Semitic terror attack on Bondi Beach, including a shock allegation involving an ISIS jihadist.
Naveed, 24, and Sajid, 50, are accused of opening fire on Jewish revelers in the terror attack that killed 15 innocent people at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.
During the attack, Sajid was shot dead by the police. Naveed was shot in the stomach by NSW Police and survived.
Since the horrific attack, details about the life and movements of the father and son have continued to emerge, including information about a month-long trip to the Philippines in November just before the deadly shooting.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in December that authorities’ “initial assessment” suggested the alleged killers Sajid and Naveed Akram acted alone and did not attend a training camp in the Asian country. Commissioner Barrett clarified that the AFP did not suggest that the Akrams were visiting for tourism purposes.
Now new reports claim that Naveed and Sajid were in a hotel room in Davao City in the southern Philippines, waiting for an ISIS jihadist to arrive.
News Company Father and son said they spent most of their 28-day trip in a hotel room at the GV Hotel, where they allegedly came into contact with a member of the ISIS terrorist organization.
Naveed and Sajid rarely left the room during their stay at the hotel and reportedly only ventured out for about an hour every day.
According to the press, the duo waited for the ISIS member to contact them again and visit them, but this did not happen.
The visit to the Philippines is not the only visit where Naveed and Sajid allegedly prepared for the attack.
Court documents revealed photographs and videos recovered from an electronic device after the Bondi massacre appeared to show Naveed and Sajid holding weapons for alleged assault training at a property in rural NSW.
ISIS flags can be seen in the footage, with the video purporting to show Akrams detailing the alleged motive for an anti-Semitic terrorist attack.
The father and son reportedly carried out their weapons training on a rural property an hour away from Goulburn.
Sydney Morning Herald On Saturday, images of the alleged property were released showing multiple structures where weapons training reportedly took place, including a trailer, a shipping container and a portable window.
The farm appears to be located in a sparse rural area full of hobby farms. The outlet reported that the property, which was subdivided 10 years ago, has a shared road that could be used by multiple properties.
SMH claimed that the owner of the property where the Akrams allegedly conducted weapons training was told that the two were friends, not relatives. He reportedly gave Naveed and Sajid access to his property to shoot wild animals.
It is understood the landowner assisted police in all investigations and has not been charged with any offences.
When Naveed Akram woke up from his coma, he was charged with 59 offenses in connection with the Bondi terror attack, including 1 count of committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, using a firearm with intent, displaying a prohibited symbol and causing explosives to be placed near a building/public place.
The sole surviving gunman is being held at Long Bay Prison Complex, about 14km south of the Sydney CBD, a notorious prison that held criminals such as Ivan Milat, Roger Rogerson, Neddy Smith, Salim Mahajer and Darcy Dugan.
It is understood Sajid Akram’s body was handed over to the NSW Government for a pauper burial after his wife refused the burial.
Verena Akram, who lives in the western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg, reportedly handed over 50-year-old Akram’s body to the NSW Government for a pauper burial.
7NEWS reporter Clementine Cuneo first revealed that Verena wanted “nothing to do” with Sajid’s body.
The Bonnyrigg property, which Sajid and Verena Akram purchased in August 2016, was transferred solely to Verena’s name in February 2024.
The house, which was initially reported to have been purchased for $700,000, was transferred to Verena for $477,500. Daily Telegraph.
If any victim of the Bondi attack were to file a civil suit against Sajid’s estate, the assets of the house would not be available as the ownership of the house remains with Verena.
NSW Police have not identified Verena as a suspect and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing or that he was aware of a planned attack.
While the NSW royal commission into the deadly attack has been welcomed by Premier Chris Minns, Premier Anthony Albanese continues to resist growing pressure from politicians, business and Australians to establish a Federal royal commission.
Naveed’s case will be heard in court next February, and the alleged terrorist is expected to appear in April.
