Bondi Beach terror attack: Akram family's watchlist status and extremist ties revealed
Consensus Summary
The articles reveal that Naveed Akram and his father Sajid were on Australia’s counter-terror radar for years before allegedly carrying out the deadliest terror attack in modern Australian history at Bondi Beach in December 2025. Both were linked to Islamic extremist networks, with Naveed initially placed on a tier-three watchlist in 2019 after being connected to an IS cell in Bankstown. Despite being downgraded to tier four due to lack of evidence of radicalization, authorities failed to prevent the attack, which killed 15 people during a Jewish celebration. The Akrams used legally acquired firearms, and explosives were found in their vehicle. Investigations suggest Sajid’s motivation stemmed from the Gaza war, while both were influenced by al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Naveed, now in isolation at Goulburn Supermax, has shown signs of distress and is preparing a defense strategy, potentially blaming his father for coercion. The case highlights the challenges of monitoring over 5000 known entities while prioritizing active threats.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Naveed Akram (24) and his father Sajid (50) allegedly shot dead 15 people at Chanukah by the Sea in December 2025 using legally acquired shotguns and rifles
- Sajid Akram was killed by NSW Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza with a police-issued Glock pistol
- Explosives and Islamic State flags were found in the Akrams' car after the attack
- Naveed Akram was initially placed on the National Known Entity Management List (NKEM) tier three in 2019 after being linked to an IS cell in Bankstown
- Akram was later downgraded to tier four after interviews showed no signs of radicalization, with ~5000 people on tiers three and four
- Naveed Akram is currently held in isolation at Goulburn Supermax and has been found crying in his cell multiple times
- Sajid Akram renewed a gun license application in 2020, which was granted in 2023 despite his son’s prior associations
- The Akrams were influenced by al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a 2011 US drone strike
- The Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent Gaza war were cited as motivations for the attack
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Naveed Akram has spoken to police four times since the attack
- Akram is laying the groundwork to claim he was the 'lackey' to his father, who coerced or brainwashed him into the attack
- The Akrams consumed a 'mixture' of extremist elements from both Australia and abroad, including al-Awlaki’s preaching
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources
Source Articles
Bondi gunman dropped to bottom tier of terror watchlist before alleged attack
This masthead can also reveal new details of Naveed Akram’s legal strategy and an al-Qaeda cleric’s hold on him and his slain father.
Bondi gunman dropped to bottom tier of terror watchlist before alleged attack
This masthead can also reveal new details of Naveed Akram’s legal strategy and an al-Qaeda cleric’s hold on him and his slain father.