A suspected gunman who awoke from a coma has been charged with 59 offences following the Bondi Beach massacre at a gathering on Sunday to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.
It came as hundreds of mourners gathered in Sydney to begin funerals for the victims.
Fifteen people were killed on Sunday when two men opened fire on more than 1,000 people attending the festival. All of those killed who have been identified so far were Jewish.
More than 20 other people are being treated in hospital. One of them is in a critical condition, and four others are critical but stable, the New South Wales health authority said.
Australian police said Naveed Akram, 24, was charged was charged on Wednesday with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist attack, after he regained consciousness on Tuesday. His father, Sajid, was shot by police and died at the scene after being disarmed by a bystander.
The charges against Naveed Akram include 40 counts of wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
“Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,” New South Wales state police said in a statement.
“Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia,” they said.
Naveed Akram, who is in hospital under police guard, was represented by a Legal Aid lawyer for his first appearance before a judge, which took place via video link. He made no application for bail, and his case will be taken up again on December 22, Australian media reported.
Authorities have said the attack appeared to h
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