Naveed Akram, a 24-year-old suspect in the Christmas massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia, made his first court appearance via video link. He was dressed in a green prison sweatshirt and sat calmly at the table with his hands in his lap. During the proceedings, he answered only with a single word, 'yes,' when asked if he understood that certain parts of the court proceedings would continue to be subject to confidentiality orders.

Akram faces serious charges of murder and terrorism in connection with the attack during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, where he and his father, Sajid Akram, allegedly opened fire on attendees, resulting in 15 fatalities and many injuries. The police intervened during the incident, shooting Sajid Akram at the scene, which adds another layer of complexity to the case as investigations reveal their radical inspirations behind the massacre.

According to investigative documents, both Akram and his father were reportedly influenced by the terrorist organization ISIS and had conducted weapons training prior to the attack. The severity of these charges, coupled with the nature of the attack, highlights the concerning rise of terrorism related to extremist ideologies, prompting discussions about security and counter-terrorism measures in Australia.