Estranged spouse of Bondi terrorist makes a stunning demand to police
The estranged wife of Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram made a series of demands to police just days after the horrific massacre that left 15 innocent people dead.
While it had been reported that Akram’s family refused to claim his body, it has now been revealed Venera Akram contacted a police assistance line ‘seeking financial assistance’ on December 20 – just six days after her husband and son, Naveed, allegedly opened fire at the Hanukkah by the Sea event on December 14.
Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the attack. Naveed, 24, remains in custody.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that no financial assistance was provided by authorities.
The publication reports Ms Akram later received her husband’s body as his next of kin and arranged his burial.
He was buried at a cemetery in western Sydney with a local undertaker conducting a basic service in accordance with Islamic rites.
It’s not known if Ms Akram attended the service.
It had been widely reported that she wanted ‘nothing to do with him’ and had signed his body over to the government for a destitute burial.
Sajid Akram’s widow asked police for financial assistance six days after the terror attack
Venera’s husband and son allegedly opened fire on a group of people at Bondi on December 14
Taxpayer-funded funerals typically involve burial or cremation in an unmarked grave.
However it’s understood that NSW Health – the agency responsible for organising destitute funerals – didn’t conduct one for Akram.
The news comes just weeks after it was revealed Akram transferred the million-dollar home he once shared with his wife in Bonnyrigg, in Sydney’s south-west, solely into her name.
The transfer means she will not lose the house if victims seek compensation from his estate.
Akram put the property in his wife’s name almost two years before the attack.
The couple bought the renovated home on Brown Road in August 2016 for $700,000.
In February 2024, they transferred the property into Venera’s sole ownership for $477,500.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom house is currently estimated to be worth up to $1.1million.
The widow was seen briefly outside her home in Sydney’s southwest last week
Sajid Akram transferred the home’s ownership into his wife’s name two years before the attack
On Thursday, it was revealed taxpayers had been forced to pay for Ms Akram’s son, Naveed’s, legal costs.
His legal defence will be handled by prominent Sydney law firm, Archbold Gittani, owned by lawyers Ben Archbold and Leonie Gittani.
The firm was given the case by Legal Aid, which is primarily funded by taxpayers.
‘We have represented clients charged with very serious offences for more than 20 years and this matter is no different,’ Ms Gittani told the Daily Mail.
‘Everyone is entitled to legal representation and we never allow our personal views to affect our professional obligations.’
Experienced defence counsel Mr Archbold has previously represented people accused of serious offences, including Keli Lane. The body of Lane’s baby, Tegan, was never found.
