The family of Naveed Akram, the alleged gunman in the Bondi attack, has been granted an interim suppression order to keep their names, home and work addresses secret. The order was issued at Downing Centre local court on Monday after a request from the public defender Richard Wilson SC, who cited the need to protect the family’s mental and physical safety.
The application for a permanent suppression order for Akram’s mother, brother and sister will be determined next Tuesday. News Corp Australia opposed the application, with its legal counsel Benjamin Regattieri arguing that extensive publication had already occurred in Australia and internationally, rendering the order futile.
Magistrate Greg Gogin granted the interim order, noting the application was based on concerns for both mental and physical safety. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly killed 15 people during a Hanukah festival at Bondi beach on 14 December. Akram survived a shootout with police and has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act allegedly inspired by Isis.
A previous court order allowing victims to choose if and when they went public with their story was also extended on Monday.
