Bondi Beach Terror Attack: Gunman Naveed Akram Appears in Court

Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in three decades, appeared in a Sydney court on Monday, February 16, 2026, for the first time since his arrest. The attack, which occurred on December 14, 2025, at Bondi Beach during a Chanukah celebration, resulted in 15 deaths and dozens of injuries.

First Court Appearance and Charges

Akram appeared via video link at the Downing Centre Local Court. He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act . During the brief hearing, Akram only responded “Yeah” when asked by Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund if he understood discussions regarding the extension of suppression orders.

Suppression Orders and Legal Representation

Existing suppression orders, initially made in December, remain in place to protect the identities of survivors. These orders allow survivors to publicly share their stories if they choose . Akram’s lawyer, Ben Archbold, stated it is too early to determine a plea and that the defense is awaiting the full brief of evidence . Archbold also noted that Akram is currently held in Goulburn supermax prison and is coping “as well as can be expected” given the “very onerous conditions” .

The Attack and its Background

The December 14th attack involved Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, who opened fire on a crowd celebrating Hanukkah at Archer Park. Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police during the incident . Authorities have stated the attack was inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State (IS) group, but that the father and son did not receive external support or operate as part of a larger terrorist organization .

Previous Investigations

Naveed Akram was previously investigated by Australian intelligence in 2019 due to associations with individuals sympathetic to IS in Sydney .

Next Court Date

Akram is scheduled to reappear in court on March 9, 2026 .