A membership card of the Serbian hunting association “Zastava” was found in the wallet of the suspect involved in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, according to regional media reports.
The president of the “Zastava” Hunting Association in Sydney, Vanja Kuzhet, confirmed to Serbian media that the suspect, Navid Akram (24), possessed a valid membership card, but stressed that he had not been seen at the association for more than five years and that the organization does not issue firearm permits.
Deadly Terrorist Attack During Hanukkah Celebration
The terrorist attack occurred during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach, when Navid Akram and his father, Sajid Akram (50), opened fire on civilians. According to Australian authorities, at least 16 people were killed and 42 others injured. The incident has been officially classified as a terrorist attack.
Media reports state that Navid Akram’s driver’s license was found at the scene, with the “Zastava Hunting Association” membership card underneath it. The association operates in New South Wales and brings together members of the Serbian community in Sydney.
Hunting Association Distances Itself from the Attack
Vanja Kuzhet emphasized that the association has no authority to issue weapons licenses, explaining that all firearm permits in Australia are issued exclusively by the police.
“He had our membership card, but we do not issue weapon permits. We only provide hunting and safety training in accordance with New South Wales law. He has not attended our activities for more than five years, and I do not remember him,” Kuzhet said.
He added that the Australian Federal Police contacted the association following the attack, confirming that the suspect had previously completed basic hunting safety training.
“We do not support or associate with criminal acts in any way. What happened is horrific,” Kuzhet stated.
Attackers Believed to Be Trained
According to weapons experts who analyzed footage from the scene, the attackers appeared to be trained in firearm use. Reports indicate that Navid Akram used a Ruger sporting rifle equipped with a red-dot sight, while his father was armed with a semi-automatic rifle. A third firearm, which has not yet been identified, was also reportedly used during the attack.
The “Zastava” Hunting Association is located approximately 50 kilometers from Bondi Beach and functions not only as a hunting club but also as a community gathering place for Serbs in the region.
