Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Sydney man hailed as a hero for disarming a gunman during the Bondi terror attack, has been charged with assaulting his father. Police allege the 44-year-old put his father in a headlock on 9 March at a home in Bankstown, western Sydney.
Al-Ahmed was charged on Wednesday with common assault and 'stalk or intimidate', New South Wales police confirmed. Speaking to 2GB on Friday, he expressed shock and disappointment, calling the allegations 'untrue' and linking the situation to family complications arising from the $2.6m donated via GoFundMe after the Bondi shootings.
Al-Ahmed gained worldwide recognition in December after footage emerged of him tackling and disarming Sajid Akram during a Hanukah event, where 15 people were killed. He was shot multiple times but credited with saving lives. His actions led to a fundraiser exceeding $3m.
Since the attack, al-Ahmed has received numerous honours, including the Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown and Waverley. He was visited in hospital by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, and received a standing ovation at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the Ashes Test.
