Sydney Bondi Beach mass shooting suspect makes first court appearance

THE man accused of opening fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, made his first court appearance on Monday, Australian media reported.

Reuters reported on Monday that the twenty-four-year-old Naveed Akram faces 59 charges stemming from the December 14 attack, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, and a terror offence.

Authorities allege the mass shooting was carried out alongside his father, Sajid Akram, 50, who was fatally shot at the scene.

Akram appeared via video link from Goulburn Correctional Centre, a maximum-security prison southwest of Sydney, where he remains on remand.

Dressed in prison greens, he remained largely silent during the brief status mention, speaking only to confirm that he had heard discussion of extending non-publication orders to protect the details of the victims.

Outside the court, Akram’s lawyer Ben Archbold told reporters that his client was doing “as well as he can be” given the “very onerous conditions” of imprisonment.

Archbold emphasised that it was too early to indicate how Akram would plead and that he had not discussed the specifics of the alleged attack with him.

“I haven’t spoken to him about the attack in that regard. All that we’re doing at the moment is starting the process … we’re waiting for the brief to be served, there’s nothing more I can say,” Archbold said.

He added that he had visited Akram in prison, stressing the professional duty to provide representation without letting personal views interfere.

“He’s just a client, and he’s a client that needs to be represented. And we don’t let our personal view get in the way of our professional obligations. The matter has been adjourned, I have nothing more to say,” Archbold said.

The case is scheduled to return to court in April, marking the next stage in what is expected to be a lengthy and complex legal process.

The tragic attack has shocked the Australian community, highlighting concerns over public safety, extremism, and the impact of mass violence on minority communities. - February 16, 2026