Share and Follow
A tragic incident unfolded on December 14 at Bondi Beach, where a 10-year-old girl was among 15 victims shot during Hanukkah festivities. The gunmen, Naveed and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, opened fire from a raised vantage point.
Sajid Akram was subsequently shot and killed by police, marking the most devastating mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996.
On Monday, barrister Richard Wilson SC, serving as public defender for the 24-year-old suspect, filed for confidentiality orders to protect the identities of the alleged gunman’s mother, sister, and brother.
Wilson conceded that the mother’s identity had already been disclosed publicly.
“Isn’t it a bit late for that?” magistrate Greg Grogin questioned.
The application was based on protecting the mental and physical safety of the family members, the court was told.
“There is… absolutely no reason why the relatives of the accused Naveed Akram should have their life put in the arena both within Sydney, NSW and… now the world,” Grogin said.
An interim order preventing any publication of the three names is in place until Grogin presides over a full hearing on March 17.
News Corp is seeking to block the proposed suppression order, sending its legal counsel Benjamin Regattieri to court to argue the publisher’s case.
Regattieri called the proposed orders futile, saying that extensive publication had already occurred in Australia and internationally.
Police allege Sajid and Naveed Akram acted alone and were not living at home at the time of the shooting.
After parking near a footbridge on Campbell Parade, the men allegedly tossed three pipe bombs filled with steel ball bearings and a tennis ball bomb into the Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park before opening fire.
None of the pipe bombs detonated, despite preliminary police analysis finding they were viable.
A box-like bomb was found in the boot of the car, while two hand-painted ISIS flags were also in the vehicle.
A court suppression order allowing victims to choose if and when they go public with their story was also extended today.
The attack triggered an outpouring of grief and a suite of legal changes addressing gun ownership and extremism, as well as throwing a spotlight on rising antisemitism in Australia.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.