Naveed Akram: Bondi Beach shooting suspect appears in court for the first time
Monday marked the first instance of Akram appearing on screen and speaking since his arrest, delivering a single word in response when Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund asked whether he had heard discussions about extending suppression orders: “Yeah.”
The court orders protect the identities of the shooting survivors, though survivors retain the option to reveal their own identities if they choose.
Outside the courthouse, Akram’s lawyer, Ben Archbold, said it was too early to determine what plea his client would enter, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Archbold noted that Akram was doing “as well as can be expected” while held in custody at Goulburn Supermax Prison.
“Everyone knows it’s a supermax facility … the conditions are very onerous,” Archbold told reporters.
When asked whether Akram had given a police interview, Archbold replied, “All we’ve done is start the process. We’re waiting for the brief to be served. There’s nothing more I can say.”
