In a startling development following the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack, the estranged wife of perpetrator Sajid Akram made a series of demands to police authorities mere days after the massacre that left fifteen innocent people dead.
Financial Assistance Request Revealed
While initial reports indicated that Akram's family had refused to claim his body, new information has emerged revealing that Venera Akram contacted a police assistance line specifically 'seeking financial assistance' on December 20th. This contact occurred just six days after her husband and their son, Naveed, allegedly opened fire at the Hanukkah by the Sea event on December 14th.
The 50-year-old Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the violent incident, while his 24-year-old son Naveed remains in custody facing serious charges related to the attack.
Contradictory Burial Arrangements
According to reports from The Sunday Telegraph, no financial assistance was ultimately provided by authorities to Ms Akram. However, the publication further reveals that she later received her husband's body as his next of kin and arranged his burial personally.
The burial took place at a cemetery in western Sydney, where a local undertaker conducted a basic service in accordance with Islamic rites. It remains unclear whether Ms Akram attended the funeral service herself.
This development contradicts earlier widespread reports that she wanted 'nothing to do with him' and had signed his body over to the government for a destitute burial. Typically, taxpayer-funded funerals involve burial or cremation in an unmarked grave, but it's understood that NSW Health - the agency responsible for organising destitute funerals - did not conduct one for Akram.
Property Transfer Before Attack
The revelations about Ms Akram's actions come just weeks after it was disclosed that Sajid Akram had transferred the million-dollar home he once shared with his wife in Bonnyrigg, located in Sydney's south-west, solely into her name.
This property transfer, which occurred almost two years before the attack, means she will not lose the house if victims seek compensation from his estate. The couple originally purchased the renovated home on Brown Road in August 2016 for $700,000.
In February 2024, they transferred the property into Venera's sole ownership for $477,500. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom house is currently estimated to be worth up to $1.1 million.
Taxpayer-Funded Legal Defence
In a related development, it was revealed on Thursday that taxpayers have been forced to pay for the legal costs of Ms Akram's son, Naveed. His legal defence will be handled by prominent Sydney law firm Archbold Gittani, owned by lawyers Ben Archbold and Leonie Gittani.
The firm was assigned the case by Legal Aid, which is primarily funded by taxpayers. Ms Gittani told the Daily Mail: 'We have represented clients charged with very serious offences for more than 20 years and this matter is no different. Everyone is entitled to legal representation and we never allow our personal views to affect our professional obligations.'
Experienced defence counsel Mr Archbold has previously represented people accused of serious offences, including Keli Lane, whose baby Tegan's body was never found.
