Alleged father and son terrorists Sajid and Naveed Akram scoped out Bondi Beach two days before their terror attack that claimed the lives of 15 people during Jewish Hannukah celebrations, according to a new police statement of facts lodged with the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court.
The pair also filmed themselves practicing shooting in regional New South Wales, while in another video, police allege they sat in front of the ISIS flag, clad with firearms and ammunition, as they described why they believe their plan was justified.
The police documents obtained by The Epoch Times also revealed four homemade bombs were tossed at the crowd during the attack, but did not detonate.
Naveed Akram, 24, stands accused of 59 offences, including a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, and 41 counts of attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent and placing explosives in a public place.
He has just been transferred from hospital to prison.
His father, Sajid, died at the scene after being shot by police, who attempted resuscitation to no avail.
Police will allege the two acted in a “joint criminal enterprise” fuelled by an extremist political religious ideology associated with ISIS.
This is how police will allege events unfolded.
What the Alleged Terrorists’ Did Before Bondi
A video was recorded in October that shows father and son training in the countryside.
Both individuals are deemed to be firing their shotguns and moving “in a tactical manner.”
The pair later rented a room in the Sydney suburb of Campsie, booking it for Dec. 2—21.
On Dec. 12, 2025, between 9:20 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., CCTV from the vicinity of Campbell Parade, Bondi, captures the two men visiting the carpark near Archer Park, Bondi Beach.
They are seen exiting the vehicle and walking along the footbridge, the same position they would take up two days later to carry out their attack.
“Police allege that this is evidence of reconnaissance and planning of a terrorist act,” the police say.
At 2.16 a.m. on Dec. 14, the men were recorded on CCTV exiting the home lugging long, bulky items wrapped in blankets and placing them into their silver Hyundai Elantra.
Police will allege the items concealed in the blankets were two single-barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle, three pipe bombs, one tennis ball bomb and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), plus two ISIS flags.
The pair returned to the house, then left again shortly after 5 p.m., according to CCTV.
CCTV in various locations captures their car en route to Bondi, with a black ISIS flag visible.
By 6.50 p.m., the car is parked at Campbell Parade, Bondi, near a foot bridge overlooking Hannukah festivities at Archer Park.
Upon parking, ISIS flags are placed on the front and rear windscreen.
The Attack
Police say the pair then removed three firearms from their vehicle, as well as the pipe and tennis ball bombs.
The pair then go to the foot bridge, where police believe they tossed the bombs towards the crowds of people.
According to the statement of facts, the pipe bombs were made of sealed aluminium piping containing an explosive, black powder, and ball bearings.
Police say the pipe bombs were viable, despite not exploding.
Shortly after, police allege the two started firing into the crowd, targeting those celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hannukah.
Police say officers arrived and exchanged fire, with two people officers suffering serious injuries as a consequence.
During the exchange of gunfire, police shot and killed Sajid Akram, critically wounding Naveed Akram.
Akram was later charged, on Dec. 16, with 59 offences after waking from a coma.
Police say he requested a lawyer.
After speaking to a lawyer, Akram declined to be interviewed by police, but consented to a “forensic procedure.”
Police Search Car, Find IED, ISIS Flags
An IED was found inside the boot of the Akrams’ vehicle following Akram’s arrest.
Two home-made ISIS flags were also found inside the car, which were seized by police.
Police say the flags were made with black fabric and white paint.
Two iPhones were also seized by police.
Search Reveals Weapons in Home, Rented Room
Officers then attended the Akrams’ Bonnyrigg home with a search warrant, before the Tactical Operations Unit conducted a negotiated surrender, removing three people from the home.
Two iPhones, a homemade wooden firearm, a long-bow with 12 arrows and a copy of the Quran with highlighted passages were seized by police.
While officers were attending the home, Akram’s mother told police she believed her son and husband were on a fishing trip, with her son phoning her at about 10.30 a.m. daily from a pay phone, discussing his plans for the next day.
A search of the Airbnb room the pair were staying in revealed a firearm scope, ammunition, a suspected IED, Sajid Akram’s driver licence and Hunting Association membership card, 3D printed parts for a shotgun speed loader, a 30-60 calibre rifle, a shotgun, numerous firearm parts, bomb making equipment and two copies of the Quran-one of which had an ear-marked page.
Footage of Final Prayers Found on Phone
Police say they found a number of “relevant” videos and images on Naveed Akram’s phone.
In one video, recorded in October, both men are filmed wearing black shirts, sitting in front of the ISIS flag and four firearms, with visible rounds of ammunition strapped to their bodies.
In the video, police say Naveed Akram recites a passage from the Quran in Arabic, before the two speak in English, making a number of statements around their motivation for the Bondi attack and condemning Zionists.
“In this video, the accused and S. Akram recite their political and religious views and appear to summarise their justification for the Bondi terrorist attack,” police state in the document.
Police Allege Detailed Planning
“The police statement of facts reveals the two men adhered to a religiously motivated extremist ideology linked to Islamic State.”
“This is demonstrated by their videoed speech and use of Islamic State flags during the attack.
“There is evidence the accused and his father, S. Akram, meticulously planned this terror attack for many months …”
Police allege this is evidenced by the presence of making an ISIS-themed video, making ISIS flags, firearms training, the making of pipe bombs and other explosive devices, booking accommodation for use as a staging post and transportation of firearms and ammunition for the attack.
The case will be back before the court in April.
Friends Read Free
Copy
Facebook
Tweet
