A Jordanian national whose coffee shop was visited by the men accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest terrorist attack has been arrested in the southern Philippines for immigration offences.
Philippine authorities detained Mohammad Odeh Saleh, 65, in Pagadian City on Mindanao island after investigators reviewing movements linked to the Bondi Beach terror attack identified his business in Davao City as one of the locations visited by the suspects.
The suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, allegedly stayed in Davao City for about four weeks before travelling to Australia and launching the attack in Sydney.
Authorities say the pair were responsible for the 14 December 2025 shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, which left 15 people dead and about 40 injured.
Saleh was arrested after a “security review” of intelligence connected to the suspects’ movements in the Philippines.
According to the Philippine military’s 1st Infantry Division, investigators confirmed the alleged attackers had visited a coffee shop owned by Saleh during their stay in Davao.
“One of the places the suspects visited was a coffee shop owned by a Jordanian in the Davao area,” military spokesperson Malinche Tomarong said.
Despite the link, authorities stressed there was currently no evidence that Saleh was involved in terrorism.
An official statement said an initial investigation had “not established direct involvement of Odeh in terrorist activity”, although he remained a person of interest while authorities continued their inquiries.
Immigration violations
Officials said Saleh was detained primarily for immigration offences.
He had obtained a temporary residence visa in the Philippines in 2023, but the document expired in March 2025.
Authorities said he remained in the country about 10 months beyond the visa’s expiry, which constitutes a violation of Philippine immigration law.
Investigators also alleged he had been operating a business without the appropriate visa classification.
Saleh was arrested at his business premises in Pagadian City, about an hour’s flight from Davao.
International travel scrutiny
Immigration records show Saleh had travelled extensively in the decade before his arrest.
Authorities said he had visited Australia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Malaysia between 2014 and 2025.
Investigators are examining those movements as part of the broader review into the alleged attackers’ international contacts.
Bondi attack investigation
The Bondi Beach attack remains one of the most serious acts of mass violence in Australia in decades.
Police allege Sajid Akram and his son opened fire during a beachside festival before officers responded.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the incident.
Naveed Akram survived a gunfight with police and is now facing 59 criminal charges, including 15 counts of murder and terrorism offences.
Australian investigators believe the pair may have been inspired by Islamic State ideology, though authorities say evidence suggests they acted alone rather than as part of a wider organised terror network.
Regional security context
Parts of Mindanao have historically been associated with extremist groups.
In 2017, militants aligned with Islamic State laid siege to Marawi City, attempting to establish an extremist stronghold.
Philippine authorities say militant activity in the region has since declined, though security forces continue monitoring potential links to international networks.
The Australian Federal Police declined to comment on the arrest while investigations remain ongoing.
