Australian court sets February hearing for accused Bondi Beach gunman

Prosecutors seek 17-week extension to consult victims, families over charges in attack that killed 15 people

A Sydney court on Wednesday scheduled a committal hearing for Feb. 24, 2027, for Naveed Akram, accused of carrying out the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, after prosecutors sought a 17-week extension to consult victims and their families, local media reported.

Akram is expected to appear via video link from prison at the next hearing, according to The Australian newspaper.

Prosecutor Danielle New told the Downing Centre Local Court that the adjournment was needed to consult the numerous victims and relatives of those killed about the specific charges prosecutors intend to pursue.

Akram, 25, was not required to appear at Wednesday's hearing from custody, and his lawyer did not apply for bail.

Read: Bondi Beach mass shooting accused faces 19 extra charges

He is being held in a high-security prison and faces 78 charges, including multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and committing a terrorist act, in connection with the December 2025 shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

His father, Sajid Akram, 50, who was also armed and opened fire on people at the beach, was shot dead by police before his son's arrest.

The attack killed 15 people and injured 42 others. Australian police classified the shooting as a terrorist attack.

Man charged over alleged fraudulent compensation claim

Separately, Australian police charged a 46-year-old Indian national with falsely claiming to have been injured in the Bondi Beach shooting to obtain financial compensation.

"Detectives identified a 46-year-old man who allegedly made a false statement that he was injured in the Bondi shooting and made subsequent fraudulent claims for compensation in the aftermath," New South Wales police said in a statement Wednesday.

Local media reported that the man, whose Australian visa had expired, was detained by border authorities shortly after his arrest and transferred to an immigration detention center.