A former senior police officer has issued a stark warning that the horrific Bondi Beach massacre could be the opening strike in a planned series of global terror attacks, potentially larger in scale than the actions of the two gunmen involved.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
Fifteen innocent people lost their lives last Sunday evening when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Sajid, a licensed firearms holder, was shot dead by responding police officers. His son, Naveed, was also shot and awoke from a coma on Tuesday. He remains under guard in hospital and is expected to be charged by police imminently.
Former Victoria Police officer Charlie Bezzina told the Daily Mail that this atrocity might form part of a disturbing 'global phenomenon'. He stated the planned attacks could be 'bigger than what we know from these two individuals'.
'All eyes are on Bondi,' Mr Bezzina said. 'People want to be assured... And I would guarantee pressure would be coming from the state and the federal government to lay charges for that very reason.' He added that while police do not need the extra pressure of worldwide attention, they will want to be seen acting decisively.
Probing Extremist Links and a Philippine Trip
Authorities are urgently investigating the father and son's alleged connections to Islamic extremism. This probe intensified after explosives and homemade Islamic State flags were discovered in a car registered to Naveed at the scene of the shooting.
It is also alleged the pair filmed an ISIS-style propaganda video at their rented Airbnb in Campsie prior to the attack, expressing extremist views. A key line of inquiry is their one-month trip to the Philippines in November. Their final destination was Davao, the capital of Mindanao island, a region known for decades as a hotbed for Islamic militancy, especially since ISIS's defeat in Syria in 2019.
Mr Bezzina suggested this investigation could uncover further criminal behaviour by so-called 'lone wolf' offenders. 'It would be naive to say that these will be lone wolves (in general),' he commented. 'They would be lone wolves in this particular incident. But is (Davao) a breeding ground for other Australians to be going over there?'
A Complex Investigation and Legal Process Ahead
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that officers plan to interview Naveed Akram on Wednesday, following his emergence from a coma. The legal and evidential process, however, is expected to be lengthy.
Mr Bezzina highlighted the immense task facing investigators, including analysing a large volume of evidence and interviewing numerous witnesses. 'You're looking at months, five or six months to get the totality of it,' he said. Police are also seeking legal advice on whether to charge Naveed with all 15 murders and attempted murders immediately, given he allegedly acted in concert with his father, or to wait for more evidence.
'Police will be working with the Philippines' government to look at this... are there any other Australians that may be associated or have been in the past?' Bezzina stated. The focus is on cutting off any links and identifying other potential attackers. Despite the complexity, he believes the high-profile nature of the case may lead to charges being laid sooner rather than later.
