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 the bondi beach terror attack in December has been charged with the attack but Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, denies the charges against him.
The Bondi Beach hero branded the accusations as fake news and told Australia’s national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), that the accusations were “fake information…not true at all”.
When asked about it, the national broadcaster added that he was not aware of the incident they were referring to.
“I have no information,” he said.
But New South Wales Police tell a different story. NSW Police said officers received reports of an alleged assault at a home in Bankstown on March 9.
Police said via a press release: “On Wednesday 3 June, a 44-year-old man was served with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault (DV) and stalking/intimidation for fear of physical etc. harm (domestic).”
Ahmed Al Ahmed was hailed as a hero after the Bondi terror attack when he wrestled the gun of one of the gunmen and helped stop further bloodshed. (Image: Supplied)
Australian broadcaster 7News reported that the assault charge relates to allegations that he put his father in a headlock. As a result, an anti-violence arrest warrant (AVO) was issued against him. Al-Ahmed was also ordered to stay 100 meters away from where his father resides and works.
Al-Ahmed confirmed that he would defend the charge against him; The charges emerged two days after his two younger brothers appeared in court on police charges for allegedly using a transport service to threaten/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 about the accusations leveled against him by his own family.
“To be honest, I’m disappointed. The situation is causing me stress… I’m very sorry about what happened,” a tearful al-Ahmed told Sydney’s leading talkback radio show.
“This is not true… I have never resorted to violence, I am not a violent man.
“I am an honest, innocent and honorable man.”
Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed is on 2GB this morning (Image: 2GB)
He continued: “I do not deserve such treatment. Since the situation at Bondi I have been given a second chance at life.
“I’m married, I have two little girls aged three and six… I’m an honest, innocent and normal man and it’s nice for people to know that I’ve never been a violent man.”
Fordham then observed Al-Ahmed’s injuries following the Bondi terror attack and asked how he “had to put one around his neck while he was struggling to hold the microphone”, thanks to bullet fragments left in his arm and shoulder after disarming gunman Sajid Akram in the December 14 shooting that left 15 people dead.
Fordham added: “I don’t believe them. I don’t believe your brothers, I don’t believe your father, I don’t believe any of them.”
“You risked your lives for this city and this country, and we will never forget it. It was the darkest day in our history, and you did something we all wish we could do.”
Fordham added: “I hope common sense prevails here.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Al Ahmed after the Bondi attack (Image: X/Anthony Albanese)
In stunning video footage captured on that fateful day in December, the brave Syrian turned Sydney can be seen trying to wrench the gun from Sajid Akram’s grasp.
His son, Naveed Akram, was charged with 59 crimes, including terrorism, for his alleged actions that day. Akram was later shot dead by police and his son Naveed was also injured and charged with 59 offences.
Although Al Ahmed suffered multiple gunshot wounds, it was widely believed that his actions saved many lives. During his recovery in hospital, he was visited by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who praised him as “our country’s finest”.
Speaking in an interview after the attack, al-Ahmed said: “My goal was only to take the gun from him and prevent him from taking a human life and not killing innocent people. I know I saved a lot, but I feel sorry for the losses.”
Al-Ahmed was given the keys to his home town of Canterbury-Bankston and took to the field ahead of the final match of the Ashes Test series earlier this year.
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, who presented the award to al-Ahmed, previously said: “What Ahmed did in that moment was remarkable. His brave actions were driven by his desire to save innocent lives.”
“In the process, Ahmed himself was shot several times and seriously injured. When evil came to Bondi Beach, Ahmed and countless ordinary heroes did not hesitate to confront it. His instinctive courage, willingness to put others first and quiet courage will never be forgotten. Our entire community is deeply grateful.”
Al-ahmed is expected to appear in Bankstown local court on July 29.
