On 17/12/2024, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon announced that legal proceedings had begun against Naveed Akram, the suspect in the Bondi Beach shooting. This action followed Akram's emergence from a coma and confirmation from medical staff that he was lucid.

Police maintained a constant presence at Akram's bedside. They waited for doctors to reduce sedative dosages, ensuring the suspect was fully conscious and able to comprehend legal procedures. After medical clearance, officers formally read Akram his rights as part of the arrest process.

Lanyon confirmed Akram was "admitted into the detention management system" after three days in a hospital coma. The suspect now has the right to seek legal representation, receive legal counsel, and undergo interrogation. Akram is scheduled to attend his initial online hearing today, likely from his hospital bed, where he will hear the charges via a screen.

Suspect Naveed Akram at the scene of the 14/12/2024 shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney. *Photo: ABC*

Australian police also announced today that Naveed Akram faces a total of 59 charges, including terrorism, murder, and intentionally causing serious injury.

Police will allege in court that Akram committed acts resulting in death, serious injury, and life-threatening harm to further religious motives and instill fear in the community. "Initial indications suggest this was a terrorist attack, influenced by the ideology of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization", police stated.

Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, are accused of targeting the Jewish community as they celebrated Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, a prominent Australian landmark, on the evening of 14/12/2024. Following a 9-minute shootout, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police at the scene. Naveed sustained critical injuries and was hospitalized.

Australian authorities are actively investigating links between the attack and the IS organization. Lanyon stated that officials discovered an improvised explosive device and two IS flags inside the suspect's vehicle.

New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon at a press conference on 16/12/2024. *Photo: News.com.au*

Akram had expressed extremist views and preached extremist messages since he was 17 years old. He came under surveillance by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2019. After a 6-month investigation, ASIO arrested Isaac el Matari, who claimed to be the IS leader in Australia. However, at that time, ASIO did not classify Akram as a threat.

The Akrams, father and son, traveled to the Philippines last month. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration recorded their final destination as Davao, in the southern part of the country. Authorities believe they participated in a military skills training program before departing the Philippines 28 days later to return to Sydney.

Sydney lawyers indicate a reluctance among many to take on the case. Raed Rahal, a prominent Muslim lawyer in Australia, affirmed the right to legal representation for all but stated he personally would not accept this case. He stressed that violent acts do not represent any faith, adding that the entire Muslim community is outraged by the shooting.