A man previously celebrated as a hero for disarming one of the attackers at Bondi Beach has been charged with assaulting his father. The New South Wales Police confirmed that Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, faces charges of common assault and “stalk or intimidate” following an incident on 9 March where he allegedly placed his father in a headlock.
Mr Ahmed has rejected the allegations as “untrue” and expressed shock over the situation in comments to local media. The fruit and vegetable vendor gained international recognition for his bravery during a shooting at a Jewish event in December, which left 15 people dead. He reportedly charged at one of the gunmen from behind, seized his rifle, and knocked him to the ground, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds that required several surgeries.
The attack was perpetrated by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram. Sajid was fatally shot by police at the scene, while Naveed, 24, was arrested and later charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Mr Ahmed was lauded by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and received global acclaim for his actions. A fundraiser in his support raised $2.6 million.
Speaking to Nine Radio on Friday, Mr Ahmed insisted he is not a violent person. “It's a conflict, you know, it's good for the people to know I'm an honest, innocent, honourable guy,” he said. “I never hurt anyone and I never been violent. And the Bondi situation, it showed I, from the first bit when I disarmed the terrorist and take his gun, throw it away I didn't hurt him, I'm not violent.”
Mr Ahmed noted that his primary focus since the incident has been on his health, with additional surgeries planned for his arm. “Honestly, since the situation happened in Bondi, I've been given a chance of second of life,” he told the broadcaster. “I've been looking after my health and trying to work in peace.” He added that the donations from the fundraiser have complicated his family situation.
Mr Ahmed is scheduled to appear in court on 29 June. Additionally, two of his brothers, Hozifa al-Ahmed and Sameh al-Ahmed, were issued interim apprehended domestic violence orders last month after allegedly making verbal threats against him over the phone. They were granted conditional bail after being charged with using a carriage service to harass or offend, as reported by the ABC.
