Alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram faces terrorism and 15 murder charges after a deadly attack at a Sydney Jewish festival.
SYDNEY: Police have charged alleged Bondi gunman Naveed Akram with terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
The charges follow Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades at a Jewish festival on Sunday.
New South Wales police said they will allege the man acted to advance a religious cause and cause fear.
“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia,” police stated.
Authorities say Naveed and his father Sajid Akram opened fire at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 and wounding dozens.
Victims included a 10-year-old girl, two Holocaust survivors and a married couple who tried to thwart the attack.
Naveed was critically wounded by police, while his father was killed in a shootout.
He also faces 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
A further charge relates to the public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation’s symbol.
Two homemade Islamic State flags were found in a car registered to Naveed near the beach.
Naveed remains in hospital and will face court via audiovisual link. – AFP