Police identify father, son as suspects in Bondi Beach attack

(MENAFN) Australian authorities have identified a father and son as the suspects in a deadly shooting targeting a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, Sydney. At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured during the attack, which police are treating as an act of terrorism.

The suspects have been named as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, while Naveed is hospitalized in “critical but stable” condition. Sajid Akram legally owned six firearms. Authorities said there was little prior knowledge of either suspect.

Counterterrorism investigators believe the pair had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), with the group’s flag reportedly found in their car. Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, had investigated Naveed Akram six years ago for links to IS sympathizer Isaac El Matari, who was arrested in 2019 for planning a terrorist attack. ASIO Chief Mike Burgess confirmed one of the suspects was known to the agency but was not considered an immediate threat.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as “an evil act of antisemitism and terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” emphasizing that attacks on Jewish Australians are attacks on all Australians.

The attack comes amid ongoing tensions over Australia’s perceived stance on Israel and antisemitism, with Israeli officials and Jewish groups previously criticizing the country’s handling of these issues.

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