Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram utters first words in first court appearance
The surviving alleged gunman from the Bondi Beach terror attack has faced court for the first time on 15 murder charges.
Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram has broken his silence in brief remarks to a court as the names of some victims remain sealed.
The 24-year-old beamed in from prison to face Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday morning on 59 charges, including murder and terrorism offences.
He is accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest terror attack on December 14, when 15 people were killed and 40 injured during beachside Hannukah celebrations at Bondi Beach.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.His father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the shooting.
The younger man spoke after a magistrate on Monday continued suppression orders protecting victims and survivors of the attack, who have not chosen to identify themselves publicly.
“Did you just hear what I just said?” Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund asked the accused man.
“Yeah,” Akram replied.
Legal Aid solicitor Ben Archbold later asked for time to speak with his client.
“Mr Akram, your solicitor is going to give you a call after,” the magistrate said.
“Yep,” the accused terrorist replied.
Akram was dressed in a green prison-issued jumper, with his hands in his lap as he listened to the otherwise uneventful case mention.
His hair was freshly shaven, while he continued to sport the full-faced short beard he had during the December 14 mass shooting.
He and his father are accused of carrying out Australia’s worst mass shooting since 1996 by targeting the Jewish festival of lights at Bondi Beach.
After parking near a footbridge on Campbell Parade, the men allegedly tossed three pipe bombs filled with steel ball bearings and a “tennis ball bomb” into the Hannukah celebration at Archer Park before opening fire.
But none of the pipe bombs detonated, despite preliminary police analysis finding they were viable.
A box-like bomb was found in the boot of the car while two hand-painted ISIS flags were also in the vehicle.
Police allege 55 people were shot during the attack, including 15 fatally, such as 10-year-old Matilda, Holocaust survivors and a retired police officer.
A court suppression order allows victim-survivors to choose if and when they go public with their story and join other survivors such as Arsen Ostrovsky and hero tobacconist Ahmed Al Ahmed, who briefly disarmed Akram’s father.
Akram is next due in court on April 8.
