Ahmed al Ahmed, the 44‑year‑old Syrian‑born hero who wrestled a weapon from a gunman in the Bondi Beach shooting, has entered a plea of not guilty at Bankstown Local Court.
He faces charges of assault, stalking and intimidation after court records allege that he allegedly damaged his father’s arm during a dispute with family members in March.
Ahmed denied the claims, stating that the assault allegations were “not true at all” and described the incident as a “family situation he never expected.”
The shootout that killed 15 people at a Jewish event on 14 December saw Ahmed physically intervene, removing the gun from the assailant Sajid Akram. A second shooter reportedly sprayed Ahmed with bullets in the arm before police intervened.
Video footage of Ahmed’s courageous act went viral and sparked a fundraiser that collected over A$2.5 million (about $1.7 million) from international donors.
In the weeks following the shooting, two of Ahmed’s brothers were charged with threatening him and attempting to seize money he received from the fundraiser.
Hozifa and Sameh al Ahmed, who moved to Australia after the shooting, were alleged to have threatened Ahmed with violence if he did not hand over $100,000 to each of them.
Ahmed left the courthouse on Wednesday, replying “no comment” when reporters asked whether his family was lying and if he was willing to reconcile with them.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid Ahmed a visit in hospital as he recovered, labeling him “the best of our country.”
Ahmed, explaining his decision to tackle the gunman in a TV interview, said he wanted to prevent innocent people from dying and that “my soul” urged him to act.
The case is scheduled for re‑review in August, with a final hearing set for December.
