Featured Image Credit: Rocco Fazzari / AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Terrorism, Australia, Court, Crime, World News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Terrorism, Australia, Court, Crime, World News
24-year-old Naveed Akram, one of the suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting, has faced court for the first time following December's devastating attack on the Jewish community in New South Wales, Australia.
On December 14, hundreds of people took to Bondi Beach for Hanukkah celebrations when the shooting took place.
There were thought to be two gunmen, one of which - 50-year-old Sajid Akram - was killed by police.
As well as Sajid, 15 people were fatally shot in the attack and dozens more were injured. It's thought that the shooting 'was motivated by Islamic State ideology', Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in the days that followed.
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Sajid's son, Naveed, is the surviving suspect and was left critically injured in the ordeal. After he was treated at hospital he was charged and transferred to prison.
Naveed faced the court for the first time yesterday (February 16), where he faces 59 charges relating to the devastating December 14 attack, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack, BBC News reports.
He appeared in court via video link from prison in a hearing that lasted less than ten minutes.
The only person he addressed during this time was Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund.
A suppression order protecting the names of some victims has been extended, and Naveed was asked by the judge if he heard this being discussed.
"Yep," he replied.
She then told him that his solicitor would call him, to which Naveed acknowledged with a simple 'yeah'.
Ben Archbold is representing Naveed and, when asked by reporters how his client will plea to the dozens of charges he's facing, Archbold said (via VT): "There’s a client that needs to be represented. And we don’t let our personal view get in the way of our professional application."
He also said the suspected criminal is doing 'as well as expected' behind bars, adding: "Everyone knows it's supermax... very onerous conditions."
Naveed is next due in court on April 8.
In court documents made public late last year, it was said that Naveed and his late father conducted firearms training in regional New South Wales in the weeks leading up to the deadly attack, says ABC News.
A police statement also said that a video was filmed during the training and that the father-son duo were seen 'firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner'.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.