Surviving Bondi attacker could face charges for all 15 murders, even the ones where he didn’t pull the trigger
Legal experts have revealed Naveed Akram could face murder charges for the killings his father committed during the Bondi Beach terror attack under joint criminal enterprise laws.
If he survives, Naveed Akram will likely be charged with all of the murders committed in the Bondi Beach terror attack -- even those carried out by his father, legal experts said.
Veteran criminal lawyers have explained that the state’s “joint criminal enterprise” laws mean the 24-year-old can be held responsible for the murders where his father, Sajid, pulled the trigger.
“Joint criminal enterprise works when two or more people have formed the intention to commit a crime together,” criminal lawyer Maggie Sten said.
“And because you are planning to carry it out together you can be held responsible for the actions carried out by the other person - simple as that,” Ms Sten said.
“So the son can be charged for the murders where the father pulled the trigger,” she said.
Investigators are pouring over the evidence, ranging from a massive number of smartphone videos to interviews with victims and witnesses to the vile antisemitic attacks.
Sunday’s horror event resulted in the deaths of 15 innocent people, including 10-year-old Matilda, and more than 40 injured at what was supposed to be the first day of Hanukkah celebrations.
Investigators will be working towards a situation where they have a forensic account of exactly what occurred at every moment in Australia’s worst mass killing since the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996.
Naveed, who was once placed on an ASIO watch list, remains in hospital after being shot at the scene.
Ms Sten said, “There can be no question that the son didn’t know what was to occur.”
“They went in the same car, which had six guns and explosives inside, they were both party to a common purpose,” she said.
It is also likely that Naveed will face a long list of other offences stemming from the horrific event.
“You would think there would be a significant number of attempted murder charges,” criminal lawyer Leo Premutico said.
“Beyond that there would be reckless wounding, wounding, discharging a firearm in a public place,” Mr Premutico said.
“You would have to imagine there will be a focus on the son’s lack of a gun licence,” he said.
“So that is a large number of offences for the police to look at even before you start delving into the anti-terrorism laws.”
On Tuesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns wrote in The Daily Telegraph that the Bondi massacre was “one of the darkest days in the history of our state”.
“I can assure you that this outrage will be met with the massive police and public order response it deserves,” Mr Minns wrote.
“This is not a time for sympathetic words. It is a time for strong laws and overwhelming police enforcement. Both are on the way.”
Ms Sten said the number of charges could be lengthy.
“You could probably work your way through the entirety of the Crimes Act with this,” Ms Sten said.
Originally published as Surviving Bondi attacker could face charges for all 15 murders, even the ones where he didn’t pull the trigger
