Monday was the first time Akram had been seen on screen and spoken since his arrest – saying just one word when Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund asked if he heard a discussion about an extension of suppression orders: “Yeah”.
The court orders cover the identities of those who survived the shooting, but allow the survivors to self-identify if they wish.
Outside court, Akram’s lawyer, Ben Archbold, said it was too early to say what plea his client would enter, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
He said Akram was doing “as well as can be expected” while in custody in Goulburn supermax prison.
“Everyone knows it’s supermax … very onerous conditions,” Archbold told journalists.
When asked if Akram had given a police interview, he said “All we’ve done is start the process. We’re waiting for the brief to be served. There’s nothing more I can say.”