A tragic scene unfolded at Bondi Beach during the Hanukkah celebrations on December 14, where 15 individuals, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives. This tragedy occurred when Naveed and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, launched a shooting spree from a vantage point.
Sajid Akram met his end at the hands of law enforcement, marking this as the most lethal shooting event in Australia since the infamous Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
On Monday, barrister Richard Wilson SC, representing the 24-year-old accused, moved to restrict the release and publication of the names of the shooter’s mother, sister, and brother, seeking legal protection for their identities.
Wilson admitted that Akram’s mother’s identity had already been disclosed to the public.
“Isn’t it too late for that?” queried magistrate Greg Grogin, highlighting the challenge of withdrawing already public information.
The court heard that the primary concern for the application was to safeguard the mental and physical well-being of the family members involved.
“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.
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