Naveed Akram, the man accused of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people, has been charged with 19 additional offences as prosecutors continue preparing one of Australia’s most serious terrorism cases.
Akram, 24, was already facing 59 charges over the December 14 shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
The Commonwealth prosecutor told Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday that paperwork for a further 19 charges had been filed.
Court records show the new charges include 10 counts of shooting at a person with intent to murder, six counts of discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest, and three counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
The fresh charges take the total number of charges against Akram to 78.
The attack at Bondi Beach shocked Australia’s Jewish community and the wider nation, with 15 people killed during the Hanukkah event. Akram’s father and alleged co-offender, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene before Naveed Akram was arrested.
The court heard investigators from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team are continuing to prepare the case, with the prosecution brief involving a large volume of material.
The Commonwealth prosecutor said the brief included about 230,000 CCTV images, as well as numerous electronic devices linked to people reportedly associated with the accused. Some of the material will require translation.
Deputy Chief Judge Michael Antrum was told investigators were progressing through the evidence and updating the alleged police facts.
Outside the court, Akram’s lawyer Leonie Gittani said her client had been aware that further charges could be laid and said it was not unusual in a matter of this scale.
“He was sort of aware of it on the last occasion, but [in] a matter of this magnitude, it’s not unusual for additional charges to be laid,” she said.
“It’s a process now that we’ve got to follow.”
Ms Gittani said Akram had not yet entered a plea because the matter remained at an early stage.
“There’s still a fair way to go, there’s still a brief to be served, there’s still a lot more brief to be served,” she said.
“Until that time comes, I’m not in a position to enter any pleas.”
She said the case remained subject to strict suppression orders and described it as an “unprecedented matter”.
The court has also maintained interim non-publication orders protecting the identities of victims while further consultation takes place.
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has been sitting in private this month to examine the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the Bondi Beach attack. It is due to report by the first anniversary of the massacre.
Akram remains before the courts and has yet to enter pleas to the charges.
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