An Australian man implicated in the tragic Hanukkah celebration massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, is now facing an additional 19 charges, authorities announced on Wednesday.
Naveed Akram had already been charged with 59 offenses, which include murder, attempted murder, and executing a terrorist act, following the shocking December 2025 incident where two gunmen targeted the Jewish holiday gathering. Akram has yet to enter a plea in response to these charges.
The 24-year-old suspect was injured during the attack, while his father, Sajid Akram, aged 50, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police, which ultimately brought the horrific event to an end. According to Australian police, the assault was motivated by the Islamic State group.
On Wednesday, Akram was scheduled to make a virtual appearance from jail in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court. This procedural hearing was set to address a gag order that protects the identities of the attack’s victims and survivors, who have not publicly identified themselves.
Since his previous court appearance, an additional 19 charges were filed against Akram on April 15, court staff confirmed on Wednesday. These new charges include 10 counts of shooting with intent to murder and six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest.
According to earlier court documents, the attack allegedly commenced when the assailants hurled improvised explosive devices at the Hanukkah crowd at one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Fortunately, the devices failed to detonate. Police also discovered a larger explosive device in the trunk of Naveed Akram’s vehicle, which was decorated with flags of the Islamic State group.
The police investigation is one of three official inquiries examining Australia’s worst alleged terrorist attack and the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in 29 years.
Another one, which examined how law enforcement and intelligence agencies interacted before the attack produced an interim report in April urging stricter gun controls. It was part of a wider royal commission, Australia’s highest form of public inquiry, which is investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in daily life as well as the circumstances of the Bondi shooting. The commission began its public hearings on Monday.
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