Arabic version: المحكمة ترفض طلب العائلة لإخفاء هويات مسلح بوندي

A Sydney court has rejected a request to suppress the identities of Naveed Akram’s mother and siblings, who sought protection following threats and acts of vandalism after the Bondi terror attack. According to ABC News, the court found that the information was already public due to social media exposure.

Akram’s family argued that they lived in constant fear for their safety, facing death threats and intimidation since the December incident that resulted in 15 fatalities. Public defender Richard Wilson SC emphasized the need for a suppression order, citing the risk of vigilante violence against the family.

However, the court determined that the proposed order would be ineffective, as it would not be enforceable beyond Australia. Judge Hugh Donnelly noted that the identities had already been disclosed, undermining the rationale for the suppression. He highlighted the principle of open justice as a critical factor in the decision.

The court also acknowledged that Akram’s mother had previously spoken to the media, further diminishing the utility of a suppression order. The family expressed feeling “under siege” at their home due to media attention and public hostility, including reported incidents of harassment.

Naveed Akram faces nearly 60 charges, including 15 counts of murder, related to the shooting at a Jewish event in Bondi Beach in mid-December, during which 15 innocent people were killed. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the incident, which has drawn significant media coverage and public scrutiny.