Bondi terror case adjourned until late February
The trial of Naveed Akram, charged with 78 offences over the Bondi beach attack, has been postponed to 24 February to allow prosecutors to finalize charge certification.
The criminal case against Naveed Akram, 24, for his alleged involvement in the Bondi beach shooting has been adjourned until 24 February. The postponement was requested by prosecutor Danielle New, who said the prosecution team needed additional time to consult victims' families and complete the certification of charges, a procedural step that formally lists offences for trial.
Akram, who survived a police shootout, faces 78 counts, including 15 murders and a charge of committing a terrorist act that investigators say may have been inspired by ISIS. His father, Sajid Akram, was killed by police at the scene. The charges were initially 59 in December, with 19 more added in April as the investigation progressed.
Judge Karen Stafford granted the adjournment after New explained that the brief of evidence contains thousands of witness statements, medical and financial records, purchase receipts, and video footage from the night of the attack.
"It’s important the crown goes over everything again, to make sure no person’s narrative is left untold," New told the court.
"The [joint counter-terrorism team] has engaged in an investigation the size of which has been unprecedented. The commitment by all involved is nothing short of highly professional," she added.
Police documents released earlier described the alleged planning as meticulous, citing an ISIS-inspired video, firearm training, explosives preparation, and a reconnaissance visit to the festival site two days before the attack.