The Sydney man who disarmed one of the Bondi terror attackers has been charged with assaulting his father.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, is accused of allegedly putting his father in a headlock on 9 March at a house in Bankstown, in the city’s west.
He was charged on Wednesday with common assault and “stalk or intimidate”, New South Wales police confirmed.
On Friday morning, Ahmed told 2GB the situation had caused him deep anxiety.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. And my anxiety and this situation cause for me stress and put me in the anxiety, deep, deep,” he said.
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailAhmed also said he was “shocked” by the situation, calling it “untrue”. He said his situation with his family had been complicated by the $2.6m donated via GoFundMe after the Bondi shootings.
Shortly after the Bondi attack, footage of Ahmed tackling and disarming Sajid Akram emerged, with the tobacconist hailed as a hero for saving lives.
He was shot multiple times during the incident. His efforts garnered worldwide attention and a fundraiser reaching more than $3m.
“My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people,” Ahmed said in an interview after the attack.
“I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”
Akram was shot dead by police during the attack on a Hanukah event where 15 people were killed. His son, Naveed Akram, was wounded by police, and he was later charged with 59 offences.
Ahmed was awarded with Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, where he lives, and Waverley. Earlier this year, a sold-out Sydney Cricket Groung crowd roared as he walked on to the pitch just before play began on the final Test of the Ashes series.
He was visited in hospital by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the NSW premier, Chris Minns, as he recovered from his injuries.
He is due to appear in Bankstown local court on 29 July.
- with Australian Associated Press
