A Sydney court has issued an interim order suppressing the identities of family members of alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram after defence lawyers argued publicity could threaten their safety.
The application was made in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday by public defender Richard Wilson SC, who asked the court to prevent publication of identifying details relating to Akram’s mother, brother and sister.
Wilson told the court the request was necessary to protect the family from potential harm following intense public attention surrounding the case.
Magistrate Greg Gogin granted an interim suppression order covering the family members’ names as well as their home and work addresses.
The magistrate said the application had been made on the basis of concerns about the relatives’ “mental safety” and “physical safety.”
The order will remain in place until next week when the court is scheduled to consider whether a permanent suppression order should be imposed.
Media opposition
The proposed suppression order was opposed by lawyers representing News Corp Australia, who argued the restriction would be ineffective.
News Corp counsel Benjamin Regattieri told the court that information about the family had already circulated widely in Australia and overseas.
Regattieri described the proposed order as “futile”, saying the identities had already been the subject of extensive reporting.
Charges over Bondi attack
Akram, 24, faces a large number of charges over the 14 December 2025 attack at Bondi Beach, where police allege he and his father opened fire at a Hanukah festival.
Authorities say 15 people were killed during the shooting.
Akram survived a shootout with police and was arrested at the scene.
He has since been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
Investigators allege the attack may have been inspired by ISIS, though the matter has yet to be tested in court.
Akram’s father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the incident.
Protection for victims
The court also extended an earlier order allowing victims and witnesses of the Bondi attack to choose whether and when they publicly identify themselves.
The measure is intended to protect survivors and families of those killed while the criminal proceedings continue.
The case remains before the New South Wales courts and will return to the Downing Centre Local Court next week when the suppression order application is due to be determined.
