New revelations have emerged about the life of Sajid Akram, one of the two perpetrators of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14. Investigations show that for at least six months before the massacre, the 50-year-old was effectively homeless, moving between a series of short-term Airbnb accommodations across Sydney.
Estranged Family and Government Burial
In a stark indicator of his isolated life, even after his death, Sajid Akram's estranged wife has refused to claim his body. This leaves the government responsible for making burial arrangements, as reported by 7NewsSydney. His body currently remains at the morgue in the Coroner's office.
Sajid Akram was killed in a shootout with police following the ISIS-inspired assault that claimed 15 innocent lives, including that of a child, and left dozens injured. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who was with him during the attack, was apprehended at the scene. Naveed remains in a hospital under police guard, reported to be in critical but stable condition.
Philippines Trip and Military-Style Training Suspicions
A critical piece of the investigation focuses on Sajid Akram's travels just weeks before the attack. Authorities have confirmed that he travelled to Davao City in the Philippines, staying there from November 1 to November 28. This region is known as a hotspot for Islamic State activity. Police strongly believe he may have undergone military-style training during this period.
The probe has widened, with two other men from Sydney who visited the same Philippine region around the same time now under investigation. This suggests potential links to a broader network.
The Deceptive Fishing Trip and Deadly Assault
In a chilling act of deception, the father-son duo reportedly told family members they were going on a weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay. Instead, they drove to Bondi Beach. On the afternoon of December 14, they opened fire from a pedestrian footbridge near Campbell Parade.
Their targets were participants of the Jewish Chanukah by the Sea festival, alongside locals and tourists enjoying the popular beachfront. The sound of loud bangs sent panic through the crowd, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of people fleeing for their lives.
Investigators are still working to determine how the Akrams obtained their high-powered weapons. In a further alarming discovery, police found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside the shooters' vehicle. Subsequent raids were conducted across Sydney, including at Naveed Akram's home in the suburb of Bonnyrigg.
Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad, India, and held an Indian passport. He moved to Australia in 1998 and had maintained only limited contact with his family back in India over the years.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has officially declared the Bondi Beach shooting a terrorist act. The incident has raised serious concerns about domestic security and radicalisation. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned his Australian counterpart about the growing threat of anti-semitism and hate against Jewish communities in the country.
