Prosecutors amass over 800 witness statements in case against man accused of Sydney massacre
SYDNEY (AP) — The case against a man accused of murdering 15 people at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration involved more than 800 witness statements and more evidence had yet to be examined, a prosecutor told a court…
Sydney prosecutors have amassed more than 800 witness statements in the case against Naveed Akram, accused of murdering 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. The accused, 25, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on 78 charges, including murder, attempted murder and committing a terrorist act.
Prosecutor Danielle New outlined that the investigation was still compiling evidence, with video, ballistic evidence and data from seven electronic devices already examined. However, data from another 12 electronic devices and an improvised explosive device (IED) testing report had not yet been reviewed.
Akram, along with his 50-year-old father Sajid, allegedly launched their attack by tossing four IEDs towards the Jewish crowd, though they failed to detonate. The devices were described as three aluminum pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb containing explosives, gunpowder and steel ball bearings. Despite not exploding, police deemed them "viable" IEDs.
Sajid Akram was killed in a shootout with police, while Naveed Akram sustained injuries. The accused has not yet entered pleas to the charges.
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