Authorities considered witness protection measures Monday for some survivors of the Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the antisemitic terrorism. The prime minister laid flowers at the site as flags flew at half-mast across Australia following the deadliest gun violence in decades.
Key witnesses to Sunday evening’s attack on approximately 1,000 Jewish community members may require security assistance if threats emerge during prosecution of surviving attacker Naveed Akram, 24. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by security forces during the roughly ten-minute assault, bringing total deaths to sixteen. Investigators identified witnesses whose testimony would be crucial for trial while assessing potential risks.
Particular attention focused on 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, whose wrestling of a gun from one attacker made him a prominent figure and potential target. His hospitalization for arm and hand gunshot wounds placed him in a vulnerable position, though security officials worked to balance protection with allowing normal recovery. Other witnesses who provided detailed observations or intervened during the attack also received security assessments.
Forty people remained hospitalized, including two police officers whose serious injuries had stabilized. Some victims aged ten to 87 expressed fear about testifying in proceedings that might expose them to retaliation from extremist sympathizers. Prosecutors recognized that securing justice required ensuring witness safety while avoiding creating so much protection overhead that people refused to participate in the legal process.
This incident marks Australia’s worst shooting in nearly three decades, with witness protection discussions reflecting the serious nature of prosecuting terrorism. Legal experts noted the tension between public trials necessary for justice and the risks such visibility creates for witnesses. As the investigation progressed, authorities balanced transparent legal proceedings with protecting those whose courage in testifying helps ensure accountability, recognizing that witness intimidation allows violence to extend beyond the immediate attack.
