Accused Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram has appeared in court for the first time, two months after he and his father allegedly carried out an antisemitic terror attack on the first night of Chanukah.
Naveed Akram, 24, faced a Sydney court via video link from prison yesterday – which was Monday local time – accused of the massacre on the famous beach that killed 15 people ranging in age from just 10 years old to 87.
He faces 59 charges relating to the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack. He did not enter pleas to the charges against him.
Naveed Akram allegedly carried out the massacre along with his father, Sajid Akram, at a Chanukah event arranged by Chabad that featured a doughnut stand and petting zoo.
More than 40 people were injured during the attack.
Sajid Akram, aged 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram was critically injured and later transferred from hospital to prison.
Naveed Akram’s appearance at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court was the first time he had been seen on screen or spoken publicly since his arrest. During his appearance, which lasted around five minutes, he remained silent other than when deputy chief magistrate Sharon Freund asked if he heard a discussion about an extension of suppression orders in the case, to which he answered “Yeah”.
The court orders were first made in December and cover the identities of dozens of survivors of the shooting, but allow the survivors to self-identify if they wish to tell their stories publicly.
Naveed Akram is next due in court in April.
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