'Bondi Beach terror attacker originally from Hyderabad': Telangana Police

Sajid Akram, one of the accused who carried out a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney along with his son, was an Indian passport holder originally from Hyderabad. He was, however, living in Australia for almost three decades and wasn't radicalised in India, the Telangana police said on Tuesday.

Sajid, who was shot dead by the police during the terrorist attack, completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hyderabad before migrating to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment, maintaining very limited contact with his relatives, police officials said. He later married Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, and settled permanently in Australia.

"The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana," Telangana Police said in a statement on Tuesday.


Sajid's son, Naveed Akram, who was captured alive from the attack site, is an Australian citizen and was born there. "Sajid Akram carries an Indian passport as on date and his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens," it added.

The family members of the duo in India have been questioned by authorities, with the Telangana Police stating that they had limited contact and Sajid had visited six times - for property matters and for meeting elderly relatives.

"The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation," officials said.

They added that Telangana Police has no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure for Australia.