A terrorist suspect accused of killing 15 people in a Bondi Beach shooting has lost an attempt to protect the identity of family members.
Navid Akram reportedly Jewish Hanukkah celebration fired in sydney, Australiain an attack in December that police say was motivated Islamic State.
His father Sajid, who police say was also involved in the firing, was killed by police at the scene.
Akram faces 59 charges in connection with the attack, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
24 year old Had sought an order to remain anonymous for 40 years To prevent the publication of the names or photographs of his mother, brother and sister, as well as their addresses, workplace and school, over concerns about their safety.
Akram’s bid was opposed by several Australian media groups, who argued that the proposed order would prevent proper reporting of the case.
Judge Hugh Donnelly ruled in favor of the media and said that the principle of open justice was fundamental to the trial.
He said that suppression orders “should be given only in exceptional circumstances”.
Judge Donnelly said: “This case has generated unprecedented public interest, anger, outrage and sadness.”
A member of the Jewish community stands at a floral memorial honoring the victims of the December mass shooting. Photo: Reuters
The court heard that Akram’s driving licence, which contained his home address, was widely circulated online after the shooting, while his mother gave an interview to a local newspaper after the shooting.
Judge Donnelly said that social media platforms and foreign publications would have been exempt from any order preventing the publication of their identities, so it would have been ineffective in any case.
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“This case is extraordinary because of the magnitude and intensity of the comments on social media,” he said.
Akram, speaking via a video link, spoke only to confirm that he could hear the proceedings.
Akram’s barrister Richard Wilson told the court he did not plan to appeal the verdict.
The Bondi attack is considered Australia’s worst terrorist attack and the largest mass shooting since 1996.
It inspired the Australian Parliament Strengthen gun control and hate speech lawsAnd in the wake of the atrocity, a government-backed investigation into anti-Semitism and social cohesion was launched in the country.
The inquiry is expected to report its findings by December this year.
