Bondi Terror Attack: AFP Boss Reveals Chilling Truth About Lone Gunmen – ‘No Evidence’ of Broader Cell or Foreign Training
- AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid operated alone in the December 14 attack that left 15 dead
- No evidence the pair received training or logistical preparation in the Philippines, where they spent almost a month in November
- Commissioner Barrett confirms investigation into “hate preachers” to pursue potential prosecutions under new hate speech reforms
Australia’s top cop has delivered a chilling assessment of the Bondi terror attack, revealing that the two gunmen behind the atrocity are believed to have operated alone. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there is “no evidence” that Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid were part of a broader terrorist cell or received training and logistical preparation in the Philippines, where they spent almost a month in November.
“Given impending court processes and other security matters, I can’t provide all the details that we have,” Commissioner Barrett told media. “But I want to provide some information that goes to broader questions and concerns.” Her comments come as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the December 14 tragedy, which left 15 people dead.
Commissioner Barrett also revealed that the AFP has been investigating “hate preachers” to potentially pursue prosecutions against them, including under new hate speech reforms announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this month. “We’ve been focused on these hate preachers and their sermons for a long time, over the last two years,” she said. “We have sought legal advice and expert advice. At this point in time, we don’t have any active prosecutions underway.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that there were “automatically issues of concern” with the rhetoric of some individuals, saying that “you have a significant number of individuals who, if they had been on visas, they would no longer be in Australia”. Prime Minister Albanese defended his government’s decision not to hold a national royal commission into the attack, saying that the focus should be on “bringing the country together” rather than “playing politics” with the issue.