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Shooter Sajid Akram, a Hyderabad migrant, killed 15 in a Hanukkah attack. His family had cut ties years ago over his Christian marriage. How did a family split and decades abroad lead to one of Australia’s deadliest attacks?
Bondi Beach shooter's family in India cut ties with him cause he married a Christian
Sydney: Sajid Akram, one of the two shooters responsible for the deadly Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, originally hailed from Hyderabad, India, before migrating to Australia in 1998, Telangana Police confirmed on Tuesday. Sajid, along with his son Naveed Akram, targeted Jewish worshippers celebrating Hanukkah, killing 15 civilians in what is being called the worst terror attack on Australian soil in 30 years.
Sajid was killed in a police shootout during the incident, while Naveed remains in critical condition at a hospital. Authorities confirmed that Sajid held an Indian passport, whereas his children, including Naveed and a daughter, are Australian citizens.
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According to multiple media reports, family members in Hyderabad severed ties with Sajid years ago due to his marriage to a Christian woman, Venera Grosso, of European origin. Sajid married Grosso before permanently settling in Australia.
A brother of Sajid, speaking to The News Minute, said the marriage was a point of contention that led to the family breaking all connections. The brother added that Sajid had minimal contact with relatives in Hyderabad over the years, including not visiting when their father passed away in 2009.
“He hailed from Old Hyderabad city and still has family, including two brothers, here,” the relative informed media. “He did not even enquire about our mother when she was unwell.”
Telangana Police clarified that there were no adverse records or criminal complaints against Sajid during his stay in India prior to his migration. He visited India only six times in 27 years, underscoring the absence of local influence in his radicalisation, according to authorities.
The DGP’s press note stated that the factors driving the radicalisation of Sajid and Naveed appear unrelated to India or Telangana.
Sajid and Venera had two children in Australia, including Naveed. The father-son duo carried out the attack on Sunday morning, targeting civilians in a premeditated assault. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Authorities continue to investigate connections and influences surrounding the family while monitoring remaining relatives in Hyderabad, though Telangana Police emphasize that no links have been found between the shooters and India.
