Australia PM Anthony Albanese says Bondi Beach shooting appears driven by Islamic State ideology

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday (Dec 16) said that the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people appears to have been driven by Islamic State ideology. This is the clearest indication yet of what may have motivated one of the country's deadliest attacks. The shooting took place on Sunday evening during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular beachfront, turning a religious gathering into a scene of chaos and fear. Authorities have already described the attack as an antisemitic act of terrorism, but Albanese's comments marked the first public suggestion that the suspects were radicalised by extremist ideology.

Radialised?

"It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology," Albanese said. He described it as an ideology of hate that has existed for more than a decade and one that, in this case, led to a willingness to carry out mass murder. "The ideology that has been around for more than a decade that led to this ideology of hate, and in this case, a preparedness to engage in mass murder."

The attackers have been identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Armed with long-barreled firearms, the pair opened fire on the beach for around 10 minutes before officers shot and killed the father. Naveed Akram was arrested and is currently in a coma in a hospital with serious injuries, under constant police guard.

Australia already had an eye on one of the attackers

Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram had previously come to the attention of Australia's intelligence agencies in 2019. However, he said the young man was not assessed as posing an immediate threat at the time.

"He was drawn to their attention because of his association with others," the prime minister said. "Two of the people he was associated with were charged and went to jail, but he was not seen then as a person of interest."