Naveed Akram, accused of carrying out the deadly Bondi attack in December in Sydney, briefly appeared in a Sydney court on Monday via video link, as investigators continued to outline what they describe as an ideologically motivated assault.
Akram faces terrorism charges, 15 counts of murder, dozens of counts of causing grievous harm with intent to kill and offences relating to explosive devices. Authorities allege he and his father, Sajid Akram, attacked a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the incident.
The court appearance lasted about five minutes and focused largely on procedural matters, including the extension of suppression orders to protect the identities of certain victims. Naveed Akram is due to return to court on 9 March.
Police have said the attack was preceded by months of planning and ideological radicalisation. According to investigators, the two men recorded a video in October in which they expressed extremist views and outlined their motivations. Officers said the recording featured them sitting in front of a flag associated with the Islamic State group.
Authorities also allege that the pair conducted firearms training in rural New South Wales before carrying out the assault. Police documents released following the attack included images said to show the suspects practising with shotguns and moving in what investigators described as a tactical manner.
Security agencies are now facing scrutiny over whether earlier intervention might have been possible. Naveed Akram had previously been flagged by Australia’s intelligence services in 2019 but was later assessed as not posing an immediate threat.
The December attack, described as Australia’s deadliest mass casualty incident in nearly three decades, sparked nationwide debate over extremism, antisemitism and community protection. Among the victims were an elderly Holocaust survivor, a couple who attempted to intervene and a 10-year-old child.
Outside court, defence lawyer Ben Archbold said his client was being held in restrictive conditions and that it was too early to indicate how he would plead.
The case is expected to draw sustained national attention as it proceeds through the courts, with prosecutors preparing evidence in what authorities have characterised as a premeditated act of ideological violence.
