The misinformation campaign linked him to the attack that left 16 people dead and over 40 injured, prompting Naveed to publicly condemn the propaganda and clarify his innocence.
Sheikh Naveed, originally from Lahore and residing in New South Wales, addressed the false allegations in a video message, urging social media users and media outlets to stop spreading unverified claims. He emphasized that his photographs were being misused to falsely portray him as one of the attackers, despite having no connection to the incident. “These false narratives have endangered my safety and damaged my reputation,” Naveed said, appealing for responsible reporting and fact-checking.
Australian authorities confirmed that the Bondi Beach attack, which targeted a Jewish gathering during the Hanukkah festival, was carried out by a father-and-son duo. One of the shooters was killed, and the other is in critical condition. Police found suspected improvised explosive devices linked to the suspects’ vehicle. Emergency responders treated dozens of injured victims, while local citizens, including 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, bravely intervened to disarm the attackers, saving lives despite being injured himself.
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The disinformation campaign emerged shortly after the attack, with multiple media outlets and social media accounts circulating Naveed’s photographs, misidentifying him as the attacker. Naveed clarified that the actual suspect was named Naveed Akram, and urged audiences to rely on credible Australian sources for verified information.
The young Pakistani stressed that spreading false propaganda not only harms innocent individuals but also fuels misinformation globally, especially during sensitive incidents like the Bondi Beach shooting. He called on media organizations and social users to verify images and facts before reporting or sharing them.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as “an act of evil, antisemitism, and terrorism that struck the heart of our nation,” praising citizens who confronted the gunmen for their bravery.
