Police believe the estranged wife of Bondi Beach attacker Sajid Akram may have kept her husband and son Naveed ‘in check’ while they were still living under the same roof, before the pair moved out and became radicalised in the months leading up to the massacre.
Venera Akram, who was separated but not divorced from Akram at the time of the massacre, still lives in the family home in Bonnyrigg in Sydney‘s west.
Police believe the father and son became increasingly radicalised after moving out of the home in the six months before the December 14 attack that killed 15 people.
‘The belief is that while they were living under the same roof as the mum and wife, she kept them in check,’ a source told the Daily Telegraph.
Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the attack.
It comes as police sources continue to probe the Akrams’ four‑week trip to the Philippines in November.
While much has been reported about how the pair barely left their hotel room in Davao City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, it’s understood detectives find this hard to believe.
Overseas trips taken by the duo, both separately and together, in the years prior to the attack have now formed a key part of the investigation into how they were allegedly radicalised.
Police believe the estranged wife of Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram (pictured may have kept her husband and son Naveed ‘in check’ while they were still living under the same roof, before the pair moved out and became radicalised in the months leading up to the massacre.
Her son Naveed remains in custody and is facing 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder
Venera Akram was seen briefly outside her home in Sydney’s southwest last week
It’s understood this alleged journey to radicalisation will be part of a brief of evidence outlined in court when 24-year-old Naveed stands trial on 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder.
He remains in custody at Goulburn Supermax and is yet to enter pleas.
The news comes just days after it was revealed Ms Akram made a series of demands to police just six days after the massacre.
While it had been reported that Akram’s family refused to claim his body, Ms Akram contacted a police assistance line ‘seeking financial assistance.’
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.
The father and son stayed at the GV Hotel in Davao in the Philippines in November
Sajid Akram transferred the home’s ownership into his wife’s name two years before the attack
The Akram’s family home, which is now solely owned by Ms Akram, was raided by tactical units on the night of the attack.
It’s understood Akram transferred the million-dollar home into his wife’s name almost two years prior.
The transfer means she will not lose the house if the Bondi victims seek compensation from his estate.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Ms Akram or any other members of their family.