Judge Rejects Bid to Suppress Akram Family Identities

Judge Hugh Donnelly rejected Naveed Akram's request to suppress his family members' identities due to widespread public knowledge and limited effectiveness. The case involves Australia's deadliest mass shooting since Port Arthur in 1996.

The judge ruled that the suppression order was not necessary because the names and home address of Akram’s mother, brother, and sister had already been widely shared online. According to Reuters, Judge Donnelly noted that any order would be ineffective as it would only apply in Australia but not on social media platforms or international outlets.

The attack on Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl. The judge acknowledged the unprecedented public interest and outrage surrounding the case. BBC reported that Akram's family had received death threats and harassment following the incident.

The media outlets opposed the order, arguing that details were already widely known due to an image of Akram’s driver license being leaked online shortly after the attack. Judge Donnelly noted that suppressing identities would do little as information was already circulated globally per Daily Mail. The case will return to court on April 8.

Akram is facing 59 charges over the attack, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, who police say was also involved in the shooting, was shot dead by police at the scene. The judge emphasized that suppression orders 'should only be made in exceptional circumstances' and noted the unprecedented public interest, anger, outrage, and grief caused by the case.

The Bondi attack prompted the Australian parliament to strengthen gun control and hate speech laws. A government-backed inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion was launched following the atrocity and is expected to report its findings by December this year.