Flags linked to Islamic State were found in the car of the father and son who killed 15 at a Jewish festival in Sydney, the ABC reports
SYDNEY: A father and son who killed 15 people at a Jewish festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach had possible links to the Islamic State group, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Police have yet to confirm a motive for Sunday’s mass shooting but say it was clearly an antisemitic terrorist act.
Senior investigation officials told the ABC that two IS flags were found in the gunmen’s car, though New South Wales police said they could not confirm the report.
The black-clad 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son were seen firing long-barrelled guns from a small bridge onto the beach.
The father, named in local media as Sajid Akram, was killed in a shootout with police.
He held licences for six guns, all of which police believe were used in the attack on the beach.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the father first arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998.
He obtained a partner visa in 2001 and has travelled overseas three times since, according to the government.
His Australian-born son is critically injured in a Sydney hospital under police guard.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the son, named as Naveed Akram, came to security services’ attention in 2019.
“He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat,” Albanese said.
The ABC reported Naveed Akram was believed closely connected to an IS member arrested and convicted in 2019.
Counter-terrorism detectives believe the two gunmen had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, the broadcaster said.
Police raided two properties in western Sydney during their investigation.
One was in Bonnyrigg, where the son reportedly lived, and the other in Campsie, where the pair reportedly stayed before the attack.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation said it does not comment on individuals or ongoing investigations.
“We want to understand the motive behind these two people,” New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
“We want to understand whether these people were further involved in any offences, but we have no history to say that’s the case.” – AFP
