Arrest of Jordanian National Linked to Bondi Beach Terrorist Attack

Mohammad Odeh Saleh, a 65-year-old Jordanian national, was arrested in Pagadian City, Philippines, for overstaying his visa. His coffee shop was reportedly frequented by Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, who are accused of carrying out the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia. This attack resulted in 15 fatalities and 40 injuries during a Hanukah celebration. The Akrams allegedly spent four weeks in Davao City, where they visited Saleh's establishment before executing the attack.

The Guardian

Philippine authorities, including the military's 1st Infantry Division, have stated that Odeh's coffee shop appeared in records related to the Akrams. Malinche Tomarong, a spokesperson for the military unit, confirmed that intelligence verified the Akrams' presence at Saleh's coffee shop. Although initial investigations have not established Odeh's direct involvement in terrorist activities, he remains a "person of interest" as authorities continue to assess potential security concerns.

The Guardian

Odeh had previously secured a temporary residence visa in 2023, which expired in March 2025. Immigration records indicate he overstayed his visa by approximately ten months, leading to his arrest for immigration violations.

The Guardian

The Akrams are implicated in Australia's deadliest terrorist attack, which has drawn significant attention to their activities and connections. The investigation into their background revealed that they had traveled extensively between Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Malaysia from 2014 to 2025. Notably, parts of Mindanao, where Odeh was arrested, have a history of interactions with international jihadist groups, although authorities claim that terrorist activity in the region has diminished since a significant siege in 2017.

The Guardian

Authorities in the Philippines have emphasized the importance of the ongoing investigation into Odeh's connections to the Akrams. The military's statement highlighted that while Odeh is not currently linked to terrorist activities, his arrest is part of a broader security review following the Bondi Beach attack.

The Guardian

Some critics have raised concerns about the implications of Odeh's arrest, suggesting that it may reflect broader issues of immigration enforcement and the potential for wrongful associations with terrorism based solely on proximity to suspects. The lack of direct evidence linking Odeh to the attack has led to calls for caution in interpreting his involvement.

The Guardian

While the Philippine military asserts that the Akrams acted alone during their time in the Philippines, there remains uncertainty about any potential connections to larger terror networks. The investigation continues to explore these aspects, with no definitive conclusions drawn regarding the broader implications of the Akrams' actions.

The Guardian

“Immigration records indicate that he remained in the Philippines approximately 10 months beyond the expiration of his visa, resulting in immigration violations under Philippine law,” — Philippine Military Statement

The Guardian

“Our intelligence units verified all the places the suspects went to. One of the places they visited was a coffee shop owned by a Jordanian in the Davao area. He is one of the owners,” — Malinche Tomarong, Spokesperson for the 1st Infantry Division

The Guardian