The two alleged gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach were not part of a wider terror cell and acted alone, Australian police have said.
Police also confirmed Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November, landing in the capital Manila before transiting that day to Davao City. They returned to Sydney on 29 November.
The pair did not undergo training or logistical preparation in the Philippines for the 14 December attack, with early investigations from local authorities suggesting they rarely left their hotel, police said.
Police have declared the attack - Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996 - a terrorist incident.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been handed to Australian authorities. We are currently reviewing the material, she said, adding that initial assessments show that these individuals are alleged to have acted alone.
There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack.
But nor were the pair in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett noted, emphasising that as the investigation is ongoing, new evidence or information may emerge.
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that it appears both alleged gunmen were motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the attack, where he and his son, armed with long-barrelled guns, allegedly shot attendees at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach. Naveed, who was hospitalized after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
In the days following the shooting, the Philippines immigration bureau communicated that Sajid entered the country using an Indian passport while Naveed used an Australian passport. The duo had declared Davao as their final destination.
Davao is known for its sprawling metropolis on the island of Mindanao, where Islamist militants have been known to operate.
Additional reporting by Virma Simonette.
Police also confirmed Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November, landing in the capital Manila before transiting that day to Davao City. They returned to Sydney on 29 November.
The pair did not undergo training or logistical preparation in the Philippines for the 14 December attack, with early investigations from local authorities suggesting they rarely left their hotel, police said.
Police have declared the attack - Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996 - a terrorist incident.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told media on Tuesday that CCTV footage tracking the alleged gunmen's movements in the Philippines had been handed to Australian authorities. We are currently reviewing the material, she said, adding that initial assessments show that these individuals are alleged to have acted alone.
There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack.
But nor were the pair in the Philippines for tourism, Commissioner Barrett noted, emphasising that as the investigation is ongoing, new evidence or information may emerge.
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that it appears both alleged gunmen were motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the attack, where he and his son, armed with long-barrelled guns, allegedly shot attendees at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach. Naveed, who was hospitalized after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
In the days following the shooting, the Philippines immigration bureau communicated that Sajid entered the country using an Indian passport while Naveed used an Australian passport. The duo had declared Davao as their final destination.
Davao is known for its sprawling metropolis on the island of Mindanao, where Islamist militants have been known to operate.
Additional reporting by Virma Simonette.
