- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 15,791
- Points
- 113
Australia's national spy agency ASIO is understood to have investigated alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram soon after the arrest of an Islamic State terrorist.
Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire with his father Sajid Akram, 50, at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon, killing at least 15 people and leaving 42 others in hospital, five in critical condition.
Akram was apprehended at the scene and is in hospital under police guard in a critical but stable condition after being shot by police. His father was shot dead by officers during the attack.
Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigators now suspect both men pledged allegiance to IS before launching the deadly attack, the ABC reports.
A senior JCTT official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an IS-like flag was found in their car, amid speculation a 'black flag' was discovered nearby.
The official claimed ASIO's interest in Naveed Akram dates back to 2019, when police foiled an IS terror plot in Sydney.
The agency began monitoring the 24-year-old after the July 2019 arrest of Isaak El Matari, identified as an IS operative and self-declared Australian commander of the group.
El Matari is serving seven years in prison after planning an insurgency, attempting to recruit followers and acquire firearms, and even rehearsing speeches ahead of possible travel to Afghanistan.
Australia's national spy agency ASIO is understood to have investigated alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram soon after the arrest of an Islamic State terrorist
ASIO began monitoring Naveed Akram in July 2019 following the arrest of Isaak El Matari (pictured), an IS operative
He returned to Australia from Lebanon in 2018 following nine months in prison overseas for attempting to join IS.
Sources say Naveed Akram maintained close connections with El Matari and other members of the IS cell, several of whom have since been convicted of terrorism offences.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess confirmed on Sunday that one of the Bondi gunmen was known to the agency, but did not specify which one.
'One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here,' Burgess said.
Authorities believe the alleged shooters had no direct ties to the Islamic State, though they may have harboured sympathies for its ideology.
Investigators say the pair appeared to act independently, and no additional suspects are currently being pursued in connection with the attack.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team, including ASIO, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the NSW Crime Commission, continues to investigate the attack and possible links to broader IS networks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet with the National Security Committee later today.
A senior JCTT official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an IS flag was found in their car, with his comment coming on the back of speculation a 'black flag' was discovered nearby
State and territory leaders will also be briefed on the attack.
Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire with his father Sajid Akram, 50, at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon, killing at least 15 people and leaving 42 others in hospital, five in critical condition.
Akram was apprehended at the scene and is in hospital under police guard in a critical but stable condition after being shot by police. His father was shot dead by officers during the attack.
Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigators now suspect both men pledged allegiance to IS before launching the deadly attack, the ABC reports.
A senior JCTT official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an IS-like flag was found in their car, amid speculation a 'black flag' was discovered nearby.
The official claimed ASIO's interest in Naveed Akram dates back to 2019, when police foiled an IS terror plot in Sydney.
The agency began monitoring the 24-year-old after the July 2019 arrest of Isaak El Matari, identified as an IS operative and self-declared Australian commander of the group.
El Matari is serving seven years in prison after planning an insurgency, attempting to recruit followers and acquire firearms, and even rehearsing speeches ahead of possible travel to Afghanistan.
Australia's national spy agency ASIO is understood to have investigated alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram soon after the arrest of an Islamic State terrorist
ASIO began monitoring Naveed Akram in July 2019 following the arrest of Isaak El Matari (pictured), an IS operative
He returned to Australia from Lebanon in 2018 following nine months in prison overseas for attempting to join IS.
Sources say Naveed Akram maintained close connections with El Matari and other members of the IS cell, several of whom have since been convicted of terrorism offences.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess confirmed on Sunday that one of the Bondi gunmen was known to the agency, but did not specify which one.
'One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here,' Burgess said.
Authorities believe the alleged shooters had no direct ties to the Islamic State, though they may have harboured sympathies for its ideology.
Investigators say the pair appeared to act independently, and no additional suspects are currently being pursued in connection with the attack.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team, including ASIO, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the NSW Crime Commission, continues to investigate the attack and possible links to broader IS networks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet with the National Security Committee later today.
A senior JCTT official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an IS flag was found in their car, with his comment coming on the back of speculation a 'black flag' was discovered nearby
State and territory leaders will also be briefed on the attack.
