The devastating attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which resulted in 16 deaths, was fueled by the ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday. The assailants, a father and son identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, intentionally targeted a Jewish festival on Sunday evening.
Albanese described the attackers as having been radicalized by a destructive ideology of hate. He disclosed that Naveed Akram had been flagged by Australian agencies in 2019 due to his connections with individuals who were later prosecuted. Despite these associations, he was not classified as a person of interest at the time.
The investigation is examining all aspects of the incident, including the discovery of an ISIS flag found in the suspects’ car. Authorities have indicated that the Akram family originates from Pakistan, and the father held several firearms licenses. The police are committed to uncovering the complete truth behind the attack and determining any potential affiliations with organized terrorist groups. The incident has understandably caused immense distress and shock throughout Australia, particularly within the Jewish community.