Bondi terror case delayed amid ‘unprecedented’ investigation, to return to court in February

The criminal case against Naveed Akram over his alleged role in the Bondi terror attack has faced further delays after an “unprecedented” investigation by the joint counter-terrorism team. The matter will not return to court until 24 February.

The case was adjourned on Wednesday before Sydney’s Downing Centre local court. Akram is yet to enter a plea, and prosecutors expect to be ready to certify the charges against him by that date.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, allegedly murdered 15 people after opening fire at a Hanukah festival at Bondi beach on 14 December. Forty people were injured. Naveed Akram survived a shootout with police, while Sajid Akram was shot and killed by police at the scene.

Naveed Akram has been charged with 78 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act that investigators allege may have been “inspired by Isis”. He was charged with 59 offences in December, with 19 more added in April as the investigation progressed.

The prosecutor, Danielle New, made the application for the adjournment on Wednesday, without opposition from Akram’s defence team. She said prosecutors had now completed their brief of evidence, which had also been beset by delays due to the sheer volume of evidence involved. The judge, Karen Stafford, granted the adjournment.

New argued that more time was needed so investigators could consult the Akrams’ alleged victims and next of kin on the charges laid against Akram ahead of the offences being certified before the court. Certification is a standard step in a criminal case, whereby prosecutors formally list the offences proceeding to trial.

New said her team did not want to “rush” the consultations and were conscious that Hanukah was approaching, as well as the Christmas holidays and summer shutdown period for the courts. “It’s important the crown goes over everything again, to make sure no person’s narrative is left untold,” New told the court.

New said the brief of evidence included thousands of witness statements, medical records, financial statements and purchases made by the Akrams, and footage from Bondi beach on the evening of the attack. “The [joint counter-terrorism team] has engaged in an investigation the size of which has been unprecedented,” New told the court. “The commitment by all involved is nothing short of highly professional.”

In December, the police “fact sheet” — released via the courts and outlining the then allegations against Naveed Akram — alleged there was evidence that the pair “meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months”. This allegedly included the creation of an “ISIS inspired” video, firearm training and the making of explosives.

The pair, police said in the document, allegedly undertook a “reconnaissance” visit to Bondi two days before the attack, visiting the footbridge from which they are accused of deliberately firing at those gathered at the Jewish festival.