The two men responsible for yesterday’s massacre on Bondi Beach, father and son Said and Naveed Akram, had sworn submission to ISIS in 2019, but despite this, Naveed had a regular weapons licence. The Australian broadcaster ABC writes this, citing Canberra’s internal intelligence service Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO).
The ABC has learned that investigators believe the gunmen had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group, two of whose flags were found on the car used by the terrorists.
ASIO became interested in Naveed Akram six years ago, after the police had foiled plans for an ISIS terrorist attack, and he was linked to Isaak El Matari, who – writes ABC again – “is serving seven years in prison for planning an ISIS insurrection as the self-proclaimed Australian commander of the terrorist group”. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram first became aware of ASIO in October 2019 and was investigated for a period of six months, but was assessed as not posing a threat.