Details Emerge About Sydney Church Attackers

Authorities first flagged Naveed Akram, 24, in 2019 due to concerns about his online activity and potential connections to radicalized individuals.Law enforcement investigated Akram, but didn’t find enough evidence to pursue charges.

Investigators are now exploring whether Naveed Akram influenced his father’s radicalization.His father, Sajid Akram, showed no prior signs of extremist beliefs.

Reports indicate Naveed Akram had connections to Isaac El Matari, an Islamic State terrorist currently serving a seven-year sentence for planning an IS insurgency in Australia. Two sources confirmed this connection, though authorities initially assessed Naveed Akram as merely an acquaintance, not a close associate.

Thay found no evidence of his own radicalization at that time, which explains why he wasn’t placed under continued surveillance. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that ASIO‘s assessment focused on the associations, not any personal motivation from naveed Akram.

Both Akrams are Australian citizens. Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, transitioned to a partner visa in 2001, and subsequently maintained resident-return visas after overseas travel.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Naveed Akram wasn’t on a watch list and authorities found no evidence he was radicalized. when questioned about Sajid Akram’s access to firearms given his son’s past inquiry, Albanese stated the father also underwent an interview and displayed no signs of radicalization.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess revealed late Sunday that one of the attackers was known to the agency.