Bondi Beach shooting latest: ‘Cold-blooded’ attack was motivated by Isis ideology, Albanese says
The fatal shooting at Bondi Beach appears to have been driven by extremist beliefs, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese has said.
“It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology,” Albanese told ABC Sydney.
One of the gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach mass shooting had previously been investigated over links to a Sydney-based Isis terrorist cell, he said.
Naveed Akram, 24, had been investigated for six months in 2019 by ASIO, the country’s domestic intelligence agency, according to ABC. It found no evidence that he had planned or considered planning any act of violence.
Counter-terrorism police believe Akram and his father, Sajid, 50, had pledged allegiance to the terror group, according to the broadcaster.
Two Isis flags were reportedly found in their car.
At least 15 people were killed in the antisemitic terrorist attack at an event called Chanukah by the Sea on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.
Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, while Naveed Akram suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.
