On Air Now

Lunch with the Hat Man

Noon - 2:00pm

Now Playing

Ronnie Wood

Outlaws

Alleged Bondi Beach gunman loses bid to suppress his family's identities

A terror suspect accused of killing 15 people in a shooting spree on Bondi Beach has lost a bid to protect the identities of family members.

Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire on ‌a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, in December in an attack which police say was inspired by Islamic State.

His dad, Sajid, who police say was also involved in the shooting, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Akram is facing 59 charges over the attack, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

The 24-year-old had sought a 40-year anonymity order to prevent the publication of the names or photographs of his mother, brother and sister as well as their addresses and places of work and school over concerns for their safety.

Akram's bid was opposed by a number of Australian media groups, who argued the proposed order would prevent proper reporting of the case.

Judge Hugh Donnelly ruled in favour of the media, and said that the principle ⁠of open justice was fundamental to ⁠the trial.

He said that suppression orders "should only be made in exceptional circumstances".

Judge Donnelly added: "This case has caused unprecedented public interest, anger, outrage and ‌grief."

Akram's driving licence, showing his home address, had been widely circulated online after the shooting, while his mother gave an interview to a local newspaper after the shooting, the court heard.

Social media platforms and overseas publications, would have been exempt from any order preventing publication of their identities, so it would have been ineffective in any case, Judge Donnelly added.

Read more from Sky News:
Dwindling diesel and jet fuel supplies in EU
Moment US journalist is kidnapped in Iraq

"This case is exceptional by virtue of the sheer ⁠magnitude and intensity of commentary on social media," he said.

Akram, speaking via a video link, spoke only to confirm that he could hear the proceedings.

Richard Wilson, Akram's barrister, told the court that he did not plan to appeal the decision.

The Bondi attack is regarded as Australia's worst terror attack and biggest mass shooting since 1996.

It prompted the Australian parliament to strengthen gun control and hate speech laws, and a government-backed inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion in the country was launched in the wake of the atrocity.

That inquiry is expected to report its findings by December this year.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Alleged Bondi Beach gunman loses bid to suppress his family's identities

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from World

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Lunch with the Hat Man

    Noon - 2:00pm

    Join Alan Duckworth, the Hat Man, for a great mix of music and chat.

  • Afternoons on Roch Valley Radio

    2:00pm - 3:00pm

  • Thursday Drivetime

    3:00pm - 6:00pm

    getting you home on your favourite Drivetime station.

  • The Sean Show

    6:00pm - 8:00pm

    Sean Cummiskey brings you the The Sensational Spectacular Sctillating Supersonic Sean Show! Or for ease The Sean Show! Top music and musings with “Great Number 2’s” and the home of tenuous links to songs from the news and “on this day!”.

  • The Midnight Special

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    Craig, Christian and Tony bring a mix of songs & genres & nonsense, from brand new to classic.

  • Ben

    10:00pm - Midnight

    With Ben Chuvali