Australia's Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram says only THIS word in court appearance

In his first public hearing, Bondi Beach attacker Naveed Akram who appeared in an Australian court via video link Monday (Feb 16) reportedly said only one word. , since the nation’s worst mass shooting in nearly three decades. Akram and his father, Sajid, shot at people during a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach in December. While Sajid was shot and killed by police during the attack, Naveed has been charged with terrorism, 15 counts of murder and a litany of other crimes. He appeared in a Sydney court for about five minutes via video link from prison, according to AFP report.

Also Read: Islamic State links? What we know about Bondi beach shooters Sajid and Naveed Akram

What happened during the hearing?

In the hearing, the timeline of evidence and technical matters such as suppressing the identification of some victims were discussed. AFP reported that Akram wore a green jersey during the hearing and reportedly spoke only one word — “yeah” — when asked by the judge whether he had heard a discussion about the extension of suppression orders. Akram will next appear in court on March 9. Speaking outside the court, Akram’s lawyer Ben Archbold claimed that his client is held in “very onerous conditions." He also said it was too early to say whether Akram would plead guilty.

Also Read: Bondi Beach terror attack: India police extends full support to Australian authorities

What we know about Naveed Akram?

According to reports, Naveed Akram was flagged by Australia’s intelligence agency in 2019, but he slipped off the radar after it decided that he posed no imminent threat. Police documents released following the attack said the two had carried out “firearms training” in what was believed to be the New South Wales countryside before the shooting. They said the suspects “meticulously planned” the attack for months, releasing pictures showing them firing shotguns and moving in what they described as a “tactical manner. The pair also recorded a video in October railing against “Zionists” while sitting in front of a flag of the Islamic State jihadist group and detailing their motivations for the attack, police said. Moreover, it has also came to light that Sajid Akram is originally from Hyderabad, India, and migrated to Australia in November 1998. In a statement, India's Telangana police said that Akram’s family in Hyderabad had no knowledge of his “radical mindset" and he visited India only six times in the 27 years since he moved to Australia. Indian police have reassured that they are fully cooperating with Australian authorities and other relevant agencies on the matter.