“He comes from a country which has general acts of violence and has been subject to war and other terrible things.
“He stood up to the regime in his country and was terribly tortured and he wants his children in Australia to live somewhere safe.
“And he thought that, he would hope that people would run forward and help his children if it was a similar situation.”
Gunman Naveed Akram on the bridge. The man facing deportation kicked the gun away from the shooter.
Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza – seen here aiming from his position behind Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club – has been identified as the hero police officer who shot Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram.Credit: Facebook
He was on his way to Bondi to pick up his car after being arrested the night before, allegedly in possession of cocaine, the Australian Financial Review reported.
Battisson said the same detective who shot Sajid Akram, Cesar Barraza, helped clear up the confusion when her client was approached by police and others on the footbridge.
“He ran up and yelled … ‘he’s not involved, he’s not involved’.”
Battisson said both she and her client condemn antisemitic violence.
“All he wants is to live in a tolerant and open society with his children and his partner.”
Battisson said the man did not want to be named publicly, but the Department of Home Affairs know who he is.
“They’re actively fighting to remove him at the moment, which could happen any day.”
“It’s really up to Tony Burke or [Matt] Thistlethwaite or any of the other ministers with powers under the migration act,” Battisson said.
More Bondi terror coverage
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