First Public Appearance Since Deadly Mass Shooting
The man accused of carrying out the fatal mass shooting at a Jewish Chanukah by the Sea event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach made his first public court appearance on Monday, 16 February 2026.
Naveed Akram, 24, appeared via video link from Goulburn Correctional Centre before the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney. It was the first time he has been seen or heard in open court since the attack on 14 December 2025, which left 15 people dead and dozens more injured.
Akram, still recovering from injuries sustained when police shot him at the scene, spoke only briefly — answering in simple affirmations when asked if he understood discussions around legal orders. He did not enter a plea.
Extent of Charges and Legal Proceedings
Akram faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder, and at least one charge of committing a terrorist act — making the case one of the most serious in recent Australian history.
The brief hearing focused mainly on the extension of non-publication and suppression orders designed to protect the identities of victims and survivors who have not publicly identified themselves. These orders remain in place to safeguard their privacy and well-being as the legal process unfolds.
Akram’s defence lawyer, Ben Archbold, told journalists outside the court that it was too early to say how his client would plead, noting that the defence had not yet received the full court evidence brief. He also described the conditions of custody at Goulburn supermax prison as “very onerous.”
Background of the Attack and Aftermath
The shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 occurred during an evening Hanukkah celebration attended by hundreds in Archer Park. Police say Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, opened fire from a footbridge onto the crowd, using firearms and allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices that failed to detonate. Fifteen innocent people were killed in the attack, with victims ranging in age from children to elderly adults.
Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene, while Naveed was wounded and taken into custody.
The attack was swiftly classified as a terrorist act with alleged ties to extremist ideology. It is widely regarded as Australia’s worst terror incident and deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. The tragedy prompted immediate national reflection, including official days of mourning and renewed debates over gun control and hate crime legislation.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
The case will return to court in April 2026 for a more substantive hearing, where procedural matters such as case management and potential pleas are expected to be addressed.
Authorities have also announced multiple official inquiries to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack. These include inquiries into antisemitism and the responses of law enforcement and intelligence agencies leading up to the incident.
As proceedings continue, detailed evidence is expected to emerge, shedding further light on the planning and motivations behind the devastating Bondi Beach shooting.
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