‘I am not violent’: Bondi hero speaks out over assault claim
Source: 2GB
Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed al Ahmed has spoken out over claims he assaulted his father, saying he was shocked by the allegations and has never been violent.
The 44-year-old has been charged with common assault and stalking after allegedly putting his father in a headlock on March 9 in a Bankstown home, and is due to face court on July 29.
But al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the alleged gunmen during the Bondi mass shooting last December, broke down in tears while defending himself during a radio interview on Friday.
“It is untrue, it’s untrue… I’m disappointed… I’m very upset [by] what’s happening,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
Al Ahmed said a family dispute had erupted after his two brothers – who had been living in Germany and Russia – returned to Australia and moved in with his parents following the Bondi attack.
He claimed they wanted a share of the more than $2.5 million he was given through a GoFundMe campaign launched after his act of heroism, which was captured on video and resulted in him being shot twice in the arm.
Source: X
Al Ahmed’s claims come as his brothers, Sameh and Hozifa, have each been charged with using a carriage service to menace or harass.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges at the Bankstown Local Court on May 20, and will be back in court on July 8.
Al Ahmed claimed on Friday that his father had been angry he reported his brothers to police after they allegedly harassed him for money, and had wanted him to withdraw the case.
He said his actions at Bondi proved he was not violent.
”I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy– I never hurt anyone, and I’ve never been violent,” he told Fordham.
”The Bondi situation, it showed… I disarmed the terrorist and took his gun, threw it away. I didn’t hurt him. I am not violent.”
Al Ahmed said police contacted his lawyer to inform him of the charges shortly before they were made public. He said he had not yet seen any evidence supporting the allegations.
He has been awarded with Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, where he lives, and Waverley.
Al Ahmed was visited in hospital by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he recovered from his injuries.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
–with AAP
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