Misinformation Emerges After Sydney Tragedy
In the aftermath of Australia's deadliest mass shooting in recent years, unverified claims circulated on social media platforms. One prominent false narrative suggested that a Lebanese individual of Palestinian background, Khaled Al-Nabulsi, was involved in the assault. These assertions appeared in multiple languages, including Indonesian, English, Arabic, and French.
Official Identification of Attackers
Law enforcement agencies have officially named the individuals responsible for the Bondi Beach incident as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed. Sajid, an Indian citizen, was fatally wounded during a confrontation with police, while Naveed, an Australian citizen, survived. During a press briefing on December 15, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, "the son is an Australian citizen," noting that Sajid had initially entered Australia on a student visa in 1998.
Indian police records indicate Sajid Akram was originally from Hyderabad. The attack has been associated by authorities with extremist ideologies, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to vow strong measures against antisemitism.
Debunking the False Imagery
The photographs accompanying the misleading posts were determined to be altered. Investigations revealed the images actually depict Charles Cornish-Dale, a British social media personality known as "Raw Egg Nationalist." One photo was originally shared on his account in May, and another appeared on a news website in August 2024, both modified to show a heavier beard and different settings.
Fact-checking organizations have addressed this surge of false information following the tragic events at Bondi Beach.
