New and crucial details have emerged regarding the movements of the father and son accused of the terrorist attack that killed 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Philippine immigration authorities confirmed that the alleged shooters visited the country in November and travelled using Indian passports, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Philippines Visit Confirmed
The Bureau of Immigration spokesman confirmed the travel details of the two assailants:
- Identities: Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24.
- Travel Dates: The duo arrived in the Philippines together on November 1 from Sydney and departed on November 28.
- Destination: Both men reported Davao as their final destination upon entry. They subsequently left the country on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, en route back to Sydney.
The report notes that India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been requested for comment regarding the use of Indian passports by the attackers.
New Detail in Attack Timeline
This revelation provides a sharp new focus on the timeline and movements of the father-son duo in the immediate run-up to the mass shooting, which Australian authorities have labeled an act of antisemitic terrorism.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously stated that the attack was “motivated by Islamic State ideology,” underscoring the severity of the incident. The confirmation of the Akrams’ travel to and from the Philippines just weeks before the attack is likely to prompt a full-scale international investigation into what the father and son were doing during their nearly month-long stay in the country.