The man celebrated as a hero for his bravery during December’s Bondi Beach terror attack has been charged with assault — but Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, is firmly pushing back against the accusations made against him.
The Bondi Beach hero has dismissed the charges as fake news, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the charges were “fake information…it’s not true at all.”
He further told the national broadcaster that he had no knowledge of the incident in question when pressed on the matter.
“I don’t have any information at all,” he said.
New South Wales Police, however, paint a very different picture. NSW Police confirmed that officers received a report of an alleged assault at a property in Bankstown on 9th March.
View 4 ImagesAhmed Al Ahmed was hailed a hero after the Bondi terror attack when he wrestled a gun from one of the gunmen and helped stop further bloodshed(Image: Supplied)
“On Wednesday (June 3), a 44-year-old man was served with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault (DV) and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic),” police said in an official statement.
Australian broadcaster 7News reported that the assault charge related to allegations that he placed his father in a headlock. As a consequence, an apprehended violence order (AVO) has been issued against him. Al-Ahmed has also been ordered to stay 100m away from his father’s home and place of work.
Al-Ahmed has confirmed he intends to contest the allegations made against him, with the charges emerging just two days after his two younger brothers appeared in court facing charges for allegedly using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend their elder sibling. Earlier this morning (Australian local time), the Bondi hero sat down with 2GB radio presenter Ben Fordham for an emotional interview addressing the allegations made against him by members of his own family.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. The situation causes me stress … I am very upset about what has happened,” a tearful al-Ahmed told Sydney’s leading talkback radio programme.
“It’s untrue …. I’ve never been violent, I am not a violent guy.
“I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy.”
View 4 ImagesAustralian PM Anthony Albanese meeting al-Ahmed in the wake of the Bondi shooting(Image: X/Anthony Albanese)
He went on to say: “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life.
“I’m married, I have two little daughters, three years and six years … I’m honest, innocent and a normal guy and it’s good for people to know I’ve never been a violent guy.”
Fordham then drew attention to al-Ahmed’s injuries sustained during the Bondi terror attack, questioning how he was “supposed to put someone in a headlock when (you) struggle to hold a microphone” due to bullet fragments still lodged in his arm and shoulder, after he wrestled a weapon from gunman Sajid Akram in the 14th December shooting that claimed 15 lives.
Fordham declared: “I don’t believe them. I don’t believe your brothers, I don’t believe your dad, I don’t believe any of them.
“You put your life on the line for this city and this country and we will never forget that. It was the darkest day in our history, and you did something that we all wish we could do.”
He added: “I hope that common sense prevails here.” In remarkable footage filmed on that devastating December day, the courageous Syrian-turned-Sydneysider can be seen grappling the firearm from Sajid Akram’s grasp.
His son, Naveed Akram, has subsequently been charged with 59 offences including terrorism for his alleged role in the incident. Akram was later shot dead by police and his son, Naveed, was wounded and charged with 59 offences.
While al-Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot injuries, his swift intervention is widely acknowledged for preventing further casualties. As he recuperated in hospital, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid him a visit, hailing him as the “best of our country.”
View 4 ImagesBondi Hero Ahmed al-Ahmed(Image: Supplied)
In a post-attack interview, al-Ahmed explained: “My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people. I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”
Al-Ahmed received the Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, his local area, and earlier this year walked onto the pitch ahead of play on the final Test of the Ashes series.
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Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, who bestowed the honour upon al-Ahmed, had previously stated: “What Ahmed did in that moment was remarkable. His courageous actions were motivated by his desire to save innocent lives.
“In the process, Ahmed himself was shot several times and sustained serious injuries. When evil came to Bondi Beach, Ahmed and countless ordinary heroes did not hesitate to confront it. His instinctive courage, his willingness to put others first, and his quiet bravery will never be forgotten. Our whole community is profoundly grateful.”
al-Ahmed is scheduled to appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 29.