Naveed Akram, accused of leading Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades, appeared in a Sydney court on Monday, responding with a single word – “Yeah” – when asked if he understood proceedings regarding suppression orders. The 24-year-old faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act, stemming from the December 14th attack at Bondi Beach.
Akram appeared via video link from Goulburn supermax prison, speaking only to confirm he had heard the court’s discussion about continuing to suppress the identities of those who survived the shooting, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and France24. The suppression orders, initially enacted in December, allow survivors to publicly identify themselves if they choose.
The attack, which occurred during a Chanukah by the Sea event in Archer Park, resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left more than 40 injured. Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene. Authorities allege that both men carried out an antisemitic attack targeting Jewish people.
Ben Archbold, Akram’s lawyer, told reporters outside the Downing Centre Local Court that it was too early to indicate how his client would plead. He also stated that he had yet to receive the full brief of evidence from the prosecution, according to the BBC and The Independent. Archbold described Akram’s conditions in Goulburn supermax prison as “extremely onerous,” but reported that his client was “as well as can be expected.”
The Bondi Beach shooting was Australia’s worst mass shooting since 1996 and the most significant terror attack targeting Australians since the 2002 Bali bombings. Monday’s court appearance marked the first time Akram had been seen or heard publicly since his arrest, two months after the attack. The case has been adjourned, with a further court date yet to be scheduled.
