The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, was seen publicly for the first time on Monday as he spoke from prison.
On December 14, Bondi Beach was the scene of a horrifying terrorist attack after two men opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration which was attended by around 1000 people.
A total of 16 people were killed in the atrocity, including one of the gunmen, later identified as Sajid Akram
His son, Naveed Akram, the other alleged shooter, survived and was arrested, and is currently being held in prison.
Naveed Akram was seen publicly for the first time since the horrifying events unfolded, appearing by video link from Goulburn Supermax prison during a hearing at Downing Center Local Court on Monday.
According to reports from 7News Australia, the 24-year-old only spoke briefly during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, as a suppression order protecting the names of some victims was extended.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund asked him: "Did you hear what just occurred?", to which he responded: "Yep."
Freund then said: "Your solicitor will call you, OK?", to which Akram replied: "Yeah."
Akram has been charged with one count of committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and additional firearms and explosives offenses, according to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions website.
He is facing life imprisonment for some of the most serious charges.
Akram's lawyer, Ben Archbold, said it was too early to say how his client would plead, adding: "There’s a client that needs to be represented. And we don’t let our personal view get in the way of our professional application."
Akram's next court appearance is scheduled for April 8, for his alleged part in Australia's deadliest terror attack.
Akram's father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was killed in a shootout with police at the scene.
Among the devastation, one hero stepped forward and risked his own life to disarm one of the gunmen, tackling him from behind and removing the gun from his possession.
Ahmed al Ahmed, a father of two, had to undergo major surgery after suffering several gunshot wounds during his act of heroism.
“I did not worry about anything,” he said in an interview with Australian CBS News journalist Anna Coren.
“My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being - and not killing innocent people.”
He admitted: “I know I saved lots of people's lives, innocent kids and women and men. I know I saved lots - but I still feel sorry for the lost.”