By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – According to Australian law enforcement and authorities on Wednesday announced that the young gunman Naveed Akram, the alleged shooter in Sydney’s Bondi Beach massacre, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 charges of murder.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that the charges include one count of murder for each fatality and one count of committing a terrorist act, media reported.
He has also been charged with 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder in relation to the wounded and with placing an explosive near a building with intent to cause harm.
The improvised explosive devices were recovered from Akram’s car, which was found at the crime scene. As per reports, police had conducted raids at Akram’s home in Bonnyrigg after the massacre.
The charges were imposed after the accused gunman woke up from coma in a Sydney hospital. He has been in the hospital since police shot him at Bondi, it said.
According to the court statement, there has been no plea filed by Akram’s lawyer.
He has not put forth any request for Akram’s release on bail. The accused gunmen had appeared for the hearing virtually from the hospital.
Naveed Akram is in police custody, Akram’s father Sajid Akram, who has been identified as the second offender, was shot dead at the crime spot itself on the day of the mass shooting.
Australia’s federal police commissioner has hinted at the possible connection between Sydney’s Bondi Beach massacre and the Islamic State group.
He said, “Authorities believe that the shooting was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.”
A trip whic the suspects made to the Philippines in the month of November is also being examined by the investigating agencies.
A total of 16 people were shot dead by two gunmen at around 6:40 p.m. local time on Sunday during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Over 20 other people were left injured at the crime scene.
All of those killed by the perpetrators who have been identified so far were Jewish. At least two police officers were also injured in the incident.
The investigations are still underway, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon had declared the attack to be “a terrorist incident” soon after the incident.
