Alleged Bondi Attacker's Family Faces Death Threats, Court Hears in Suppression Order Battle
Lawyers representing alleged Bondi beach terror attack shooter Naveed Akram have urgently argued in court that his family members' identities must be permanently suppressed due to fears that "one or more of them may be killed" following a series of death threats and violent harassment incidents.
Family Targeted with Explicit Threats and Harassment
The Downing Centre local court heard detailed accounts of the threats received by Akram's mother, brother, and sister since the December antisemitic shootings at Bondi beach. Public defender Richard Wilson SC presented evidence including:
- A phone call to Akram's mother from an unknown number asking "Are you still alive?" days after the attack
- A text message calling her a "Pakistani cunt"
- A threat text to Akram's brother three weeks post-attack stating: "We're going to kill you"
- People driving past their house yelling "die, cunt, die"
- Incidents where individuals parked across their driveway shouting death threats
- Their home being egged and a pork chop thrown onto their car
- Men knocking on their door and moving to the side of the house before police were called
Wilson emphasized that while the police have confirmed the family had "nothing to do with it" regarding the mass shooting, they cannot afford to relocate and remain vulnerable targets.
Legal Battle Over Suppression Order Continues
The court heard arguments from both sides regarding a permanent suppression order. Wilson argued that despite the family's names already being widely reported, continued publication of their details "provides a focus for misguided people" who might take violent action. He acknowledged the order wouldn't apply to international media but would mitigate risks within Australia.
However, Matthew Lewis SC, representing major media organizations including Nine, News Corp Australia, the ABC and Guardian Australia, countered that "the cat is well and truly out of the bag" regarding the family's identities. He noted that Akram's mother had given media interviews and their information had been reported internationally across multiple countries including the US, UK, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
Lewis argued there was no evidence of imminent risk and that incidents had become less frequent over the past three months, suggesting fear alone shouldn't justify suppression.
Background of the Bondi Beach Attack
Naveed Akram, 24, appeared via video link from Goulburn supermax prison where he remains in custody. He and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, allegedly killed 15 people after opening fire at a Hanukah festival at Bondi beach on December 14th.
Akram faces 59 charges including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act that investigators believe may have been "inspired by Isis." His father was shot and killed by police at the scene, while Akram survived a shootout with authorities.
Magistrate Hugh Donnelly has reserved judgment on the suppression order until April 2nd, leaving the family's legal protection in limbo as they continue to face public outrage over what Wilson described as "the most serious and most notorious terrorist attack this country has ever seen."
