Police Reveal 7 Arrested Men Had ‘Ideological Links’ to Alleged Bondi Terrorists

New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson says seven men with alleged Islamic extremist links, arrested in Sydney’s south-west on Dec. 18, may have been planning to travel to Bondi Beach just days after the massacre that claimed 15 innocent lives.

Authorities say the men, who were detained on George Street in Liverpool just before 5 p.m., were known to police, who held “significant concerns” about their decision to travel in a convoy from Victoria to Sydney.

One of the men is also under active investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

Officers said they held serious concerns about the men’s intentions and potential for violence.

They also said the men held “ideological links” to Bondi gunmen Sajid Akram, who was fatally shot by police during the massacre on Dec. 14, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, who survived and has since been charged in relation to the incident.

Naveed Akram had previously been investigated for ties to the terror organisation ISIS, police said. ISIS flags were later found in the Akrams’ vehicle after the shooting.

“I think the ideology we’re talking about very much includes our perception of threat and risk in this environment,” Hudson said.

“We have some indication that Bondi was one of the locations they might be visiting yesterday, but with no specific intent in mind or proven at this stage.”

Videos posted online shows police tactical operations unit ramming one of the men’s cars, before officers jumped out holding their weapons.

Deputy Commissioner Hudson said police were unwilling to take any chances in the wake of the Bondi shooting.

“We made the decision that our tolerance for risk and threshold for risk is, as you can understand, very low at the moment following last Sunday’s atrocities,” he said.

Police Presence Continues

The arrest comes as police confirmed high-visibility patrols would continue at Bondi and other key locations under Operation Shelter.

Operation Shelter was established in October 2023 following the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel to coordinate intelligence gathering and responses to protest activity, with a focus on preventing anti-Semitic and other hate crimes.

Since then, police taskings have been conducted at places of worship, transportation hubs, and other crowded locations.

Following the Bondi Beach terror attack, police have further increased their presence.

Operation Shelter currently includes proactive taskings involving riot squads, tactical operations, PolAir, traffic and marine police, the bomb disposal unit, dog squad, and multiple regional police units.

Police said 751 taskings have been undertaken since the Bondi attack.

Operation Shelter Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, said anyone wanting to incite or cause fear would be dealt with.

“Police are dedicated to promoting social cohesion and ensuring all members of the public feel safe and supported,” he said in a statement.

The Bondi terror attack unfolded on Dec. 14 during Jewish Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people aged between 10 and 87.