Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has disclosed that one of the perpetrators of the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting was previously investigated over suspected links to a terrorist network.
Prior Investigation Deemed No Ongoing Threat
Naveed Akram, 24, was the subject of a six-month probe by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) back in 2019. The investigation centred on his associations with individuals involved in suspected terrorist activity, two of whom were later imprisoned.
However, authorities concluded at the time that Akram posed no "ongoing threat" and showed no indication he would engage in violent acts. Mr Albanese stated the assessment had cleared him as a risk, a judgement now under intense scrutiny following Sunday's atrocity.
Attack During Hanukkah Festival Leaves 15 Dead
The recently unemployed bricklayer and his father, 50-year-old shop owner Sajid Akram, opened fire at the world-famous Sydney beach during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The attack claimed the lives of at least 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, described as a "bright" and "joyful" child.
Other victims included British rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman. At least 27 people remain in hospital, with six in a critical condition. Among the injured are two police officers, one named as Constable Scott Dyson, who is in a stable condition.
Reports indicate the attackers pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during the killings, with IS-associated flags found in their car. The Prime Minister, however, stressed there is no evidence the pair were part of a wider cell or acted in collusion with a terrorist group, stating they had "clearly been motivated by an extremist ideology" but acted alone.
National Cabinet Pledges Urgent Gun Law Reform
The tragedy has triggered an immediate political response, with Australia's national cabinet committing to "strong, decisive and focused action" on gun law reform. This urgent review was prompted by the confirmation that Sajid Akram was a licensed firearms holder.
He legally owned six registered firearms under a recreation category A/B license. Proposed reforms include using criminal intelligence in licensing decisions, limiting firearm ownership, restricting certain gun types, and requiring Australian citizenship for license holders.
Heroic Intervention and International Condemnation
Amid the horror, stories of bravery emerged. Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was hailed a hero after tackling one of the gunmen and wrestling his rifle away. Shot in the arm and hand, Mr Ahmed told a cousin to inform his family he "went down to save people's lives" if he died. He is now recovering in "good spirits," and a public fundraiser for him has surpassed $1.7 million.
His father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed, declared: "My son is a hero of Australia." Sajid Akram was shot dead at the scene, while Naveed sustained critical injuries and remains under police guard in hospital, where he is expected to survive and face criminal charges.
In the UK, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "appalling antisemitic attack," reassuring British Jewish communities that every step would be taken to ensure their safety and security.
