Bondi Beach Shooting: Philippines Confirms Sajid Akram Entered as an Indian National

Philippines Immigration Details Add New Dimension to Investigation Into Bondi Beach Terror Attack

Philippine officials have now confirmed that one of the two suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, identified as a man by the name of Sajid Akram. He is 50 years old and entered the Philippines using an Indian passport this past week. This adds a new twist to a mass shooting in Australia in close to three decades.

Father-Son Duo Behind Bondi Terror Attack

Akram, a terrorist suspected of murdering at least 15 and wounding dozens more during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on December 14, has a son named Naveed who is 24 years old and has also been accused of the crime.

The assault has been classified as a terrorist attack, with signs of Islamic State flags and homemade explosive devices being discovered close to where the assault took place. Sajid Akram was killed by police gunfire, with his son being seriously injured and arrested.

Philippines Visit Under Scrutiny Amid Terror Probe

According to the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, they entered the Philippines on November 1 and stayed until November 28. Sajid Akram used an Indian passport, while the younger Sajid used an Australian passport.

Reports say that they were staying in Davao City. Reports are being investigated about why they were in the Southern Philippines. This region used to be rampant with insurgency. Sajid and his father were reportedly acquiring ties from extremist groups.

The Philippine army and immigration officials are cooperating with Australian detectives to establish if there were any ties of the suspects to any terrorist groups while they were in the country, though no such connections have been revealed.

Is There More Behind Bondi Shooting?

The attack has been termed as an act committed by the father and son duo solely, and there is no evidence as yet of any link to any terrorist group, according to statements by the police in Australia.

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, explained that “the act of shooting was motivated by a radicalized ideology of hate.” There are already calls for changes in gun laws in Australia.

The fact that Sajid has been confirmed to enter the Philippines from India has led to calls from the international community to shed light on the involvement of the suspects in the terrorist attack.