A man who was hailed as a hero for disarming one of the Bondi Beach attackers has been charged with assaulting his father.
The New South Wales Police said Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, has been charged with common assault and “stalk or intimidate” for putting his father in a headlock on 9 March.
Mr Ahmed rejected the allegations as “untrue” and told local media he was “shocked” by the situation.
The fruit and vegetable seller was praised for helping stop the attack at a Jewish event last December that left 15 people dead.
He reportedly charged at one of the gunmen from behind, seized his rifle and knocked him to the ground. He was shot multiple times during the incident and had to undergo multiple surgeries.
The attack was carried out by father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram. While Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene, Naveed, 24, was arrested and later charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack.
Mr Ahmed was hailed as a hero by prime minister Anthony Albanese and received praise from across the world for his heroic act. A fundraiser to support him raised $2.6m.
Mr Ahmed told Nine Radio on Friday that he was not a violent person. “It’s a conflict, you know, it’s good for the people to know I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy,” he said.
“I never hurt anyone and I never been violent. And the Bondi situation, it showed I, from the first bit when I disarmed the terrorist and take his gun, throw it away I didn’t hurt him, I’m not violent.”
Mr Ahmed said that his main focus since the incident had been to look after his health as he had more surgeries planned on his arm.
“Honestly, since the situation happened in Bondi, I’ve been given a chance of second of life,” he told the broadcaster.
“I’ve been looking after my health and trying to work in peace.”
He said the situation with his family had been complicated by the donations received through the fundraiser.
Mr Ahmed is due to appear in court on 29 June.
Two of Mr Ahmed’s brothers, Hozifa al-Ahmed and Sameh al-Ahmed, were issued interim apprehended domestic violence orders last month after they allegedly made verbal threats against him over the phone.
They were granted conditional bail after being charged with using a carriage service to harass or offend, the ABC reported.
