In brief
- Bondi hero Ahmed al Ahmed has strongly denied claims he assaulted his father.
- Al Ahmed shot to fame after disarming one of two gunmen during the Bondi Beach attack in December.
The Bondi Beach terror attack hero has launched an impassioned defence against claims he assaulted his father, insisting the allegations are baseless.
Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the two gunmen during December's terrorist incident, has been charged with assault and stalking over allegations he put his father in a headlock on 9 March.
But the 44-year-old has strenuously denied the charges, and has alleged issues arose from the more than $2.5 million he was given after a fundraiser for his Bondi heroism.
He told Sydney radio 2GB on Friday morning that he was "shocked" and "disappointed".
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Al Ahmed, a tobacconist, rose to prominence after video captured the moment he crept behind one of the Bondi gunmen and tackled and disarmed him, slowing the attack and saving lives.
He was shot twice in the arm during the incident.
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 the keys to the city of Canterbury-Bankstown, where he lives, and Waverley, the local government area that takes in Bondi Beach.
Al Ahmed was visited in hospital by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as he recovered from his injuries.
He is due to appear in local court on 29 July.
Al Ahmed’s brothers 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 20 May. They are due to return to court on 8 July.
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