Australian police on Wednesday filed 59 criminal charges against a 24-year-old man accused of carrying out a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, including 15 counts of murder and one charge related to terrorism, as authorities advanced their investigation into the attack.
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The suspect, identified as Naveed Akram, faces charges that include 15 counts of murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, publicly displaying a prohibited terrorist symbol, and placing an explosive in or near a building, according to an official police statement. The shooting took place on Sunday and lasted approximately nine minutes.
Police said Akram, who had been in a coma since the incident, regained consciousness on Tuesday. No further details were provided regarding his medical condition.
Police charged alleged Bondi killer Naveed Akram with terrorism, 15 counts of murder and a litany of other crimes on Wednesday after Australia’s worst mass shooting in decades.https://t.co/eqAP7xE9aW
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) December 17, 2025
Health authorities reported that 21 people remained hospitalized on Wednesday at medical facilities across Sydney. Five of those injured were listed as critical but in stable condition.
The attack resulted in 15 deaths, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87 years old. Twelve of the victims have been officially identified so far, police said.
During the incident, Sajid Akram, 50, the father of the accused and identified by authorities as a second armed individual, was shot dead by police at the scene. He was described as being of Indian origin.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there is currently no evidence indicating the involvement of additional suspects, while cautioning that the investigation remains ongoing and findings could change as inquiries continue.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the father and son acted independently but were influenced by ideology linked to the Islamic State group. Authorities said both traveled in November to southern Philippines, a region where Islamist cells operate.
In response to the attack, the Waverley municipal council in eastern Sydney announced the cancellation of all New Year’s Eve events scheduled to take place at the popular Bondi Beach.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.