Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest terror attack at Bondi Beach, made his first court appearance via video link on Monday. Appearing from prison in the Downing Centre local court, he faces 59 charges including murder and terrorism offences over the 14 December attack that killed 15 people and injured 40.
During the brief hearing, Akram responded with ‘yeah’ and ‘yep’ when addressed by Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund. He was dressed in a green prison jumper and had a freshly shaven head but retained the full beard he had during the attack. His Legal Aid solicitor, Ben Archibold, requested time to speak with his client after the session.
The attack targeted a Hanukah celebration on the beach, where police allege Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, threw pipe bombs and a ‘tennis ball bomb’ before opening fire. The bombs did not detonate, but 55 people were shot. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene.
The court continued suppression orders to protect victims and survivors who have not chosen to publicly identify themselves. Among the dead were a 10-year-old girl, Holocaust survivors, and a retired police officer.
