Alleged Bondi Beach shooter Naveed Akram has appeared in court for the first time since the December 14 attack that left 15 innocent people dead.

Akram appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court via videolink from Goulburn Correctional Centre on Monday.

He was seen on screen dressed in prison greens, with a shaved beard and long stubble.

Deputy chief magistrate Sharon Freund asked Akram: ‘Did you just hear what has occurred?’

‘Yeah,’ Akram replied.

Legal Aid solicitor Ben Archibold later asked for time to speak with his client.

‘Mr Akram, your solicitor is going to give you a call after,’ the magistrate said.

‘Yep,’ the accused terrorist replied.

Alleged Bondi Beach shooter Naveed Akram has appeared in court for the first time since the December 14 attack that left 15 innocent people dead

Akram was seen looking around the room at times and responded when spoken to. 

He has been charged with 59 offences including terrorism, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder.

The court extended non-publication orders of the identities of several victims who were injured in the alleged attack on December 14. 

The matter will be heard again in March.

A court suppression order allows victim-survivors to choose if and when they go public with their story and join other survivors such as Arsen Ostrovsky and hero tobacconist Ahmed Al Ahmed, who briefly disarmed Akram’s father. 

Mr Archibold was asked outside court whether his client had shown any remorse.

‘They’re not conversations I’ve had at this stage, it’s all about the law … At the end of the day there’s not much more he can say,’ he said. 

‘He’s just a client, and he’s a client that needs to be represented and we don’t let our personal view get in the way of our professional obligations.’ 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in January a Commonwealth Royal Commission would be held (pictured, mourners at a memorial set up at Bondi Beach)

Court documents allege Akram and his father Sajid, 50, had three pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb, and that the improvised explosive devices were thrown towards a group of people when the alleged shooting began, but they did not detonate. 

The alleged attack unfolded at the Chanukah By The Sea event in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. 

Sajid was shot dead by police while Akram was wounded and taken to hospital. 

Two officers were injured, including one who lost sight in one eye. 

The attack sparked calls for a Royal Commission, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisting pressure for weeks.

He was petitioned by the victims’ families, sports stars and MPs from within his own party. 

Albanese finally relented and announced in early January that one would be held. 

The Albanese government also introduced the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, a new hate speech bill.

NSW Police were also given new powers, with protests temporarily banned across large parts of Sydney

NSW Police were given new powers, with protests temporarily banned across large parts of Sydney.

Queensland is set to become the first state to expressly ban the use of the phrase ‘from the river to the sea’, which has been widely adopted by pro-Palestinian supporters.

It and the slogan ‘globalise the intifada’ will become proscribed phrases under the proposed laws, leaving anyone displaying or uttering the words liable for a maximum two-year prison sentence.

Queenslanders who display hate symbols, recite terrorist slogans, harass or cause damage at a place of worship could face up to seven years in prison under the planned changes. 

NSW is also looking to outlaw the ‘intifada’ call but is yet to legislate the move. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog flew to Australia last week, after he was invited by Albanese, with the visit triggering protests from pro-Palestine demonstrators.