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Police will allege that Naveed Akram, 24, and his slain father Sajid Akram, 50, recorded videos outlining their reasons for the Bondi attack that were seized by investigators, including a recording where they quote from the Quran and vow to attack “Zionists” while surrounded by rifles.
In the video, recorded in October, the pair allegedly pose in front of an Islamic State flag and outline what police will allege was their explanation for the attack at Bondi Beach.
“The accused is recorded appearing to recite, in Arabic, a passage from the Quran,” the police facts allege.
“Following the recitation, both the accused and (Sajid Akram) speak in English and make a number of statements regarding their motivation for the ‘Bondi attack’ and condemning the actions of ‘Zionists.’”
The material also includes images and recordings from October, where the father and son conduct firearms training at a countryside location believed to be in NSW.
“The accused and his father are seen throughout the video firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner,” the police facts allege.
Police say the mother told police she believed the pair were on a fishing trip and that her son Naveed had been calling her each day from a public payphone at 10:30 a.m.
The pair allegedly posed for photographs with guns and homemade devices in the lead-up to the deadly attack.
The images are contained in a statement of police facts that was previously suppressed until a NSW court lifted the suppression order on Monday.
CCTV shows timeline of terror
It also details CCTV documenting their pair’s movement in the lead up to the alleged offences.
The document released by the court states “police allege that the accused Naveed and his father, Sajid, adhere to a religiously motivated extremist ideology linked to Islamic State”.
“This is demonstrated by their videoed speech and use of Islamic State flags during the attack,” it reads. “There is evidence that the accused and his father, Sajid Akram meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months through actions including:
“Making an ISIS inspired video; ii) Making of ISIS flags; iii) Firearms training; iv) Making of pipe bombs and improvised explosive devices; v) Booking of accommodation to act as a staging post; and vi) Transportation of firearms and ammunition for the attack.”
A NSW Police statement of facts is a document outlining the prosecution’s version of an alleged offence.
It summarises the offender’s alleged conduct, evidence from police, victims, and witnesses and is prepared by investigating detectives.
Sajid was shot dead by police on December 14 when he and his son allegedly opened fire at the Chanukah By The Sea event at Bondi Beach just before 7 p.m.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrim heard the matter this morning noting he planned to suppress the names of some survivors of the attack listed in the police statement of facts, unless they consented to speaking about their experiences with media outlets.
“I understand that there is understandable public interest in these proceedings,” Magistrate Antrim said.
“My orders are that, firstly the interim order is revoked, I make a suppression order in the terms that are set out.
“Bail is not applied for and is formally refused.”
Bombs thrown at crowd
The police facts allege that the two men were armed with homemade bombs and explosive devices which they threw towards the crowd at Bondi but did not detonate.
“Upon parking the vehicle, the accused and (Sajid Akram) removed the IS flags from the vehicle and placed them on the inside of the front and rear windscreen respectively,” the police facts state.
“Sajid Akram proceeded to remove the three firearms from the vehicle, as well as the pipe bombs and Tennis Ball Bombs, moved towards the footbridge.
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“Upon approaching the footbridge, investigators believe the three pipe bombs and the tennis ball bomb were thrown towards the crowd of people in Archer Park.
“Preliminary analysis indicates the pipe bombs were made of sealed aluminum piping containing explosives, black powder, and steel ball bearings.
“The pipe bombs did not detonate, however, preliminary analysis indicates both items were assessed as viable improvised explosive devices.”
Earlier, CCTV allegedly captured the father and son at the rental Airbnb property leaving the property at 2.16am on the day of the attacks and again later that day.
“On Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 the accused rented a room within a five-bedroom house,” the document states.
“This booking was made online through the website Airbnb.
“About 2.16am, on Sunday, 14th of December 2025 the accused and his father Sajid Akram, were captured by closed circuit television at the premises.
“At this time, the accused and Sajid Akram were observed carrying long and bulky items wrapped in blankets. These items were placed into a 2001 silver Hyundai Elantra.
The vehicle was registered to the accused.”
Arsenal loaded into car
Police alleged the bulky items loaded into the vehicle were two single barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle, four homemade improvised explosive devices — two pipe bombs, one tennis ball bomb, one large IED bomb — and two Islamic State flags.
“The accused and his father, Sajid Akram, then returned to the premises about 5.09pm. The accused and his father were captured on CCTV leaving the residence,” the document states.
The police facts state that the 24-year-old is charged with committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder, Discharge Firearm etc with intent, Display Prohibited Symbol, Causing explosives to be placed in or near building, conveyance or public place.
“About 6.50pm on Sunday 14 December 2025, the Accused and his father (Sajid) born 10 February 1975 attended the vicinity of Bondi Beach, New South Wales,” the document states.
“The Accused and (Sajid Akram) used three firearms in their possession to shoot at a large number of people gathered for a Jewish event named ‘Chanukah by the Sea 2025.
“Together, the Accused and his father shot and killed 15 people. A further 40 victims were wounded by their gunfire, including two responding NSW Police officers who attended the scene.
“Sajd Akram was shot and killed by police during the incident.”
Suppression order lifted
The suppression was made last week on the ground that it was necessary to prevent prejudice to the proper administration of justice on the basis that the police investigation is ongoing.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Antrim heard the matter this morning.
Legal counsel also appeared for NSW Commissioner of Police Mal Lanyon.
“The Court granted the prosecution application for an interim suppression order over the Statement of Facts until 22 December 2025,” the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions said in a statement prior to the hearing.
On December 18, the court lifted the suppression order over the statement of facts.
However, prior to the public release of any materials, the prosecution has requested a hearing to determine an application for a non-publication order in relation to certain personal identification details on the court file.
This related to concerns it would identify dozens of survivors of the attack who were injured.
Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
The 24-year-old was critically injured during the incident. His father Sajid Akram, 50, was shot by police on the pedestrian bridge.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the attack at a Jewish community at an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.
Akram also faces 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, as well as one charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
This relates to the ISIS flag that was photographed in the car the duo allegedly dumped near the scene of the attacks.
At a hearing last week Akram was represented by legal aid. He did not apply for bail and bail was formally refused.
The court made an order for the brief of evidence to be served by April 8, 2026 and adjourned the matter to that date.
In a statement, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), comprising the New South Wales Police Force, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission, confirmed last week it had formally referred the prosecution of charges against Akram to the Commonwealth Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The case has been adjourned until April 2026.
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