Hundreds of witnesses come forward in Bondi terror case
Tom Wark |
Explosives reports, electronic device analysis and new witness statements form part of an expanding brief of evidence against the surviving Bondi Beach massacre gunman.
Naveed Akram, 25, is accused of targeting a crowd of people celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach alongside his father, 50-year-old Sajid, on December 14.
The alleged terror attack left 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens more injured.
The elder Akram was shot dead by police, while his son was taken into custody.
Parties were granted an 11-week adjournment at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday as prosecutor Danielle New outlined large amounts of evidence being compiled.
More than 800 witness statements, video and ballistics evidence and data from seven electronic devices had already been examined, Ms New said.
“An additional 12 electronic devices (and) an improvised explosive device testing report are due and need to be reviewed,” she said.
The men allegedly tossed three pipe bombs filled with steel ball bearings and a tennis ball bomb into the Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park before opening fire.
No bombs detonated.
A box-like bomb was also allegedly found in the duo’s car, along with two hand-painted Islamic State flags.
Many witnesses granted anonymity en masse in July have also begun to come forward and give statements to police, the prosecutor said.
The order was made to protect witnesses and victims from re-traumatisation and threats to their safety, Judge Karen Stafford said in July.
“The psychological trauma of bearing witness to a mass shooting is real,” she said.
“In addition to threats, there is real risk to the physical safety of witnesses and their families … this risk is not hypothetical.”
Judge Stafford said the order was intended to ensure that other witnesses would not be deterred from testifying for fear of becoming targets.
Ms New said the protected witnesses who came forward to give fresh statements were people who were in the park or its immediate surroundings when the shooting occurred.
On Wednesday, Judge Hugh Donnelly approved the extension of time for the full brief of evidence to be served on the defence, satisfied the case was still moving steadily.
Akram has been charged with 78 offences, including committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 43 counts of attempted murder.
He has not yet been required to enter pleas to any of the charges against him.
The 25-year-old will return to court on October 28.
AAP