Families of the victims killed and injured in the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack have been dealt a further blow, as it emerges the alleged gunman legally shielded his primary asset from compensation claims almost two years prior.
Property Transfer Blocks Path to Justice
Sajid Akram, 50, transferred sole ownership of the family home in Bonnyrigg, south-west Sydney, to his wife Venera in February 2024. The move, completed nearly two years before he and his 24-year-old son Naveed allegedly killed 15 people and wounded over 40 others, effectively places the property beyond the reach of any civil lawsuits against his estate. The three-bedroom house, purchased for $700,000 in 2016 and now valued at up to $1.1 million, was advertised as featuring a saltwater pool and outdoor entertaining area.
Criminal lawyer Sam Macedone explained the devastating consequence for victims seeking justice. "Victims could apply for compensation through the NSW government-funded Victims Support Scheme and separately sue the killer's estate for damages," he stated. "But if he has moved everything into his wife's name and his estate has no assets, then anyone suing him or his estate will get nothing. It is the final insult to the victims."
A Chilling Indication of Premeditation
The timing of the property transfer has raised alarming questions about the planning behind the atrocity. Former Counter-Terrorism Minister David Elliott said the action clearly indicated long-term preparation. "This clearly proves in my mind he has been planning this for a long time," Elliott asserted. "It would be a safe assumption for him to think that his assets were going to be seized by the state or victims of the crime he was about to commit."
The attack itself unfolded with brutal efficiency on Sunday evening. Akram and his son arrived at Bondi Beach in a silver hatchback just before 6.40pm, armed with rifles and extra ammunition. Positioned on a bridge at the north end, they allegedly opened fire on crowds of Jewish people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Sajid Akram was subsequently shot dead by police, while Naveed was hospitalised with bullet wounds, regaining consciousness on Tuesday after a 48-hour coma.
Community Mourns as Investigation Widens
As the community reels, a funeral was held for Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the 15 victims. His two-month-old baby remains in hospital after being struck by shrapnel. Further investigations have revealed that the father and son travelled to the Philippines just weeks before the attack, sparking concerns over potential links to Islamist extremist networks.
Meanwhile, Venera Akram has told authorities she believed her husband and son had gone fishing in Jervis Bay. In the days leading up to the massacre, the pair had rented an Airbnb in Campsie. The calculated financial manoeuvre to protect the family home now stands as a cold, legal barrier between the perpetrator's estate and the devastated families seeking redress, adding a profound layer of injustice to an already unimaginable tragedy.
