Australian authorities say alleged Bondi Beach shooter Naveed Akram had past links to Australia’s pro–Islamic State network, including associations with Sydney cleric Wisam Haddad.

Axar.az, citing JP, reports that Akram was investigated by ASIO in 2019 after ties emerged to an ISIS-linked cell and extremist street preaching groups, though officials say no evidence of radicalization was found at the time.

Reports show Akram worshipped and preached at Haddad’s Al Madina Dawah Centre, which later lost charity status over concerns of radicalizing youth.

Haddad denies involvement in the attack but has a record of antisemitic sermons and was found by a federal court to have breached racial discrimination laws.

The case has raised serious questions about intelligence failures and how Akram’s father was legally permitted to hold firearms before the deadly attack.