Bondi hero fires back after being charged with assault – ‘not true at all’ | World | News
Bondi Hero Ahmed al-Ahmed (Image: Supplied)
The man hailed as a hero for his actions during December’s Bondi Beach terror attack has been charged with assault – but Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, is not taking the accusations levied against him lying down.
The hero of Bondi Beach has branded the charges as fake news, telling Australia’s national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the charges were “fake information…it’s not true at all.”
He added to the national broadcaster that he was unaware of the incident they were referring to when asked.
“I don’t have any information at all,” he said.
New South Wales Police, however tell a different story. NSW Police said officers received a report of an alleged assault at a home in Bankstown on March 9.
“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 via a press release.
Ahmed 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)
Australian broadcaster 7News reported the assault charge pertained to allegations he put his father in a headlock. As a result a apprehended violence order (AVO) has been taken out against him. Al-ahmed is also ordered to remain 100m away from his father’s place of residence and work.
Al-Ahmed has confirmed he will defend the accusation levied against him, with the charges surfacing two days after his two younger brothers faced court for copping charges from police for allegedly using a carriage service to menace/harass/offend their older sibling.
This morning (local Australian time), the Bondi hero sat down with 2GB radio host Ben Fordham to give a tearful interview over the accusations levied against him by his own family.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. The situation causes me stress … I am very upset about what has happened,” a tearful al-Ahmed said on Sydney’s premier talkback radio show.
“It’s untrue …. I’ve never been violent, I am not a violent guy.
“I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy.”
Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed on 2GB this morning (Image: 2GB)
He continued: “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 observed Al-ahmed‘s injuries in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, asking how he was “supposed to put someone in a headlock when (you) struggle to hold a microphone” thanks to bullet fragments which remain in his arm and shoulder after wresting a weapon from gunman Sajid Akram in the December 14 shooting that left 15 dead.
Fordham added: “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.”
Fordham added: “I hope that common sense prevails here.”
Australian PM Anthony Albanese meeting al-Ahmed in the wake of the Bondi shooting (Image: X/Anthony Albanese)
In stunning video footage captured on that fateful day video in December, the brave Syrian-turned-Sydneysider can be seen wrestling the gun out of the grip of Sajid Akram.
His son, Naveed Akram, has since been charged with 59 offences including terrorism for his alleged actions on that day. Akram was later shot dead by police and his son, Naveed, was wounded and charged with 59 offences.
While al-Ahmed did suffer from several gunshot wounds, his actions were widely credited with having saved many lives. During his recovery in hospital, he was visited by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who went on to praise him as the “best of our country.”
Speaking in an interview following the attack, al-Ahmed said: “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 was given the Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankston, where he lived and earlier this year he walked onto the pitch ahead of play on the final Test of the Ashes series.
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, who presented al-Ahmed with the award, previously said: “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 due to appear at Bankstown local court on July 29.
