HomeAUNaveed Akram Makes Initial Court Appearance in Bondi Terror Case

Naveed Akram Makes Initial Court Appearance in Bondi Terror Case

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Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram has broken his silence in brief remarks to court.
The 24-year-old appeared via video link from prison to face Sydney‘s Downing Centre Local Court on this morning on 59 charges, including murder and terrorism offences.
NAVEED AKRAM COURT SKETCH FEBRUARY 16
Court sketch: Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram has appeared in court via video link. (Nine / Supplied)
His father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the shooting.
The younger man spoke after a magistrate today continued suppression orders protecting victims and survivors of the attack, who have not chosen to identify themselves publicly.

“Did you hear what I just said?” Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund questioned the man standing before her in the courtroom.

Later, Legal Aid solicitor Ben Archibold requested a moment to confer with his client.

“Mr. Akram, your solicitor will contact you after this,” the magistrate informed him.

“Yep,” responded the accused, who is facing terrorism charges.

Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram has broken his silence in brief remarks to a court as the names of some victims remain sealed.
Accused Bondi terrorist Naveed Akram has broken his silence in brief remarks to a court as the names of some victims remain sealed. (Supplied)

During the court proceedings, Akram sat wearing a green jumper issued by the prison, his hands resting in his lap as he quietly followed the otherwise routine case mention.

His hair was freshly shaven, while he continued to sport the full-faced short beard he had during the December 14 mass shooting.

He and his father are accused of carrying out Australia’s worst mass shooting since 1996 by targeting the Jewish festival of lights at Bondi Beach.
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 Hannukah celebration at Archer Park before opening fire.

But 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.

Police allege 55 people were shot during the attack, including 15 fatally, such as 10-year-old Matilda, Holocaust survivors and a retired police officer.

A court suppression order allows victim-survivors to choose if and when they go public with their story and join other survivors such as Arsen Ostrovsky and hero tobacconist Ahmed Al Ahmed, who briefly disarmed Akram’s father.

Akram is next due in court on April 9.

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