The Australian one police has the surviving suspected shooter of the attack on Bondi Beach charged with 59 crimes. In addition to murder, the allegations also include terrorism. The police had previously announced that they would conduct an interview later in the day.
Last Sunday, the worst terrorist attack in Australia’s recent history occurred on Bondi Beach. The target of the attack was the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which was celebrated on the beach. According to current information, two attackers killed 15 people and more than 40 were injured, some critically. 21 people are currently being treated in hospital, five of whom were recently in critical condition.
The older of the two suspects, a 50-year-old man, was shot dead by police. His 24-year-old son was shot, arrested and is seriously injured in the hospital. It is now certain that the suspected perpetrators have connections to the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) had. According to authorities, several explosive devices and two homemade IS flags were found in the son’s car.
Son already checked for IS connections in 2019
According to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Australian domestic intelligence agency had already arrested the man in 2019 for suspected links to an IS terrorist cell Sydney checked. However, no evidence of danger was identified at the time.
“We have to look back at what happened in 2019 when they investigated this man, what conclusions were drawn back then,” Albanese told ABC NewsRadio. Everything needs to be put to the test, including the cooperation between secret services, security authorities and the police.
Tightening of gun laws announced
A few weeks before the attack, both men traveled to the south of the Philippines, where, according to media reports, they received military-like training. ISIS is active in the Philippines through local jihadist groups.
According to the New South Wales government, gun and demonstration laws are now about to be tightened. The state’s premier, Chris Minns, said he would convene parliament next week to discuss “urgent” reforms. This should include, among other things, stricter rules for the purchase of high-performance firearms. Access to large street protests after terrorist attacks could also be restricted.
Prime Minister Albanese is facing criticism that the Australian government has not done enough to address an increase in… Anti-Semitism to counteract in Australia. “We will work with the Jewish community, we want to eradicate and eliminate anti-Semitism from our society,” Albanese said.
