Australia: Suspect in Bondi massacre to face more charges

An Australian man accused of killing 15 people in an antisemitic mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach will face a slew of additional charges, court officials said on Wednesday.

Naveed A. was accused of opening fire, along with his father, at families celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah last December.

The 24-year-old was shot and wounded, while his 50-year-old father was killed as police responded to the massacre.

What are the fresh charges in Bondi Beach shooting?

Naveed A. is already charged with 59 counts, which include attempted murder and committing a terrorist act.

Court records released on Wednesday showed that he is now facing 19 extra charges — including 10 counts of shooting with intent to murder, wounding with intent to murder, and six of discharging a firearm with intent to resist arrest.

The charges were released after an intensive probe opened public hearings into Australia's worst alleged terrorist attack and the deadliest mass shooting in three decades.

The massacre prompted Australia to announce a flurry of gun law reforms.

According to the Australian police, the shooting was inspired by the "Islamic State (IS)" group.

An 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, a couple who confronted the two attackers and a 10-year-old girl were among those who died in the attack.

Police documents released following the attack said the father-son duo had carried out "firearms training" in a countryside area and "meticulously planned" the attack for months.

The suspects had also recorded a video in October railing against what they called "Zionists" while sitting in front of an "IS" flag and detailing their motivations for the attack, police said.

Suspect yet to enter plea

Naveed A. is currently being held in a high-security prison and has not yet been required to enter a plea.

He was due to appear in Sydney's Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday through a video link from jail.

The procedural hearing was scheduled to mull a gag order that suppresses the identities of victims and survivors of the attack who have not chosen to be identified publicly.

Editor's note: DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and urges us to refrain from revealing full names in many cases.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko