ASIO knew about him - WTF?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-15/bondi-beach-shooting-terrorist-attack/106...22m ago
Breaking: ASIO examined gunman for close ties to IS
By Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop
Australia's domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, examined Bondi gunman Naveed Akram six years ago for his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State group (IS) terrorism cell, the ABC understands.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, killed at least 15 people yesterday evening when they opened fire on the Chanukah by the Sea event.
The ABC understands investigators from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) believe the gunmen had pledged allegiance to the IS terrorist group.
An IS flag was found in the men's car at Bondi Beach, according to a senior JCTT official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official said ASIO took an interest in Naveed Akram six years ago, after police foiled plans for an IS terrorist attack.
The ABC understands ASIO started looking into the man soon after the July 2019 arrest of IS terrorist Isaak El Matari in Sydney.
The official said Mr Akram was closely connected to Mr Matari, who is serving seven years' jail for planning an IS insurgency as the self-declared Australian commander of the terrorist group.
Mr Matari was part of an IS cell with several other Sydney men who have since been convicted of terrorist offences and were also close to Naveed Akram, according to sources with close knowledge of the matter.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said on Sunday that one of the gunmen was known to the agency, but did not specify which man.
"One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here," he said.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team comprises ASIO, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police and the NSW Crime Commission.
The ABC has contacted ASIO and NSW Police for comment.