The family of alleged Bondi beach gunman Naveed Akram have applied for a permanent suppression order on their names and addresses, citing death threats and fears they could be killed. The 24-year-old's mother and siblings have reportedly received threatening calls, texts, and visits since the December 14 attack, in which Akram and his father Sajid allegedly killed 15 people.
Lawyer Richard Wilson SC told Downing Centre Local Court that the family faces ongoing harassment, including a phone call asking 'Are you still alive?' and a text stating 'We're going to kill you.' He argued that continued publication of their details could encourage vigilante attacks, despite acknowledging the risk may be low but with catastrophic potential.
Media organisations, represented by Matthew Lewis SC, opposed the order, arguing there was no evidence of imminent danger and that incidents had decreased over the past three months. The court previously granted an interim suppression order, which the family now seeks to make permanent.
Naveed Akram, who survived a police shootout, faces 59 charges including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act allegedly inspired by Isis. His father was killed at the scene. The family maintains they had no involvement in the attack.
