Accused Bondi shooter faces 19 new charges
The man accused over the Bondi Beach Chanukah attack that left 15 people dead is facing 19 additional criminal charges, according to court documents filed in Sydney.
Naveed Akram, 24, appeared before Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court after prosecutors filed the additional allegations linked to the December 14 attack at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach.
Alleged shooter Naveed Akram
Akram already faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and committing a terrorist act. The additional allegations include 10 counts of shooting with intent to murder, three counts of wounding with intent to murder and six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest.
Defence lawyer Leonie Gittani told reporters outside court that Akram’s legal team had not yet been formally served with the new charges.
Akram remains in custody at the high-security Goulburn Correctional Centre and has not entered pleas to the charges.
Police allege Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, carried out an ISIS-inspired attack during the first night of Chanukah celebrations at Archer Park, Bondi Beach. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.
Fifteen people died and dozens were injured in the attack, which authorities have described as one of Australia’s worst modern terror incidents.
Police have previously alleged the pair used firearms and improvised explosive devices during the assault and prepared weapons at a Sydney Airbnb before the attack.
The case comes as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion continues public hearings into rising antisemitism and the impact of the Bondi attack on Australia’s Jewish community.
