Criminal case against alleged Bondi terrorist delayed amid ‘unprecedented’ investigation

Naveed Akram, a 24-year-old man, has been charged with 78 offences following an alleged terrorist act at a Hanukah festival in Bondi on December 14. The criminal case against him has been delayed until February due to an "unprecedented" investigation by a joint counter-terrorism team. The judge, Karen Stafford, granted the adjournment after prosecutors, led by Danielle New, completed their brief of evidence, which includes thousands of witness statements, medical records, financial statements, and video footage from the attack.

Prosecutors allege that Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, committed 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act, the latter possibly inspired by ISIS. Sajid Akram was shot and killed by police during the incident. The case has seen an increase in charges from 59 in December to 78 in April as the investigation progressed.

The prosecutor argued that more time was needed to consult the Akrams' alleged victims and next of kin on the charges before certifying them for trial. The judge agreed, citing the approaching Hanukah, Christmas holidays, and summer shutdown period for the courts.