Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed makes explosive allegations against his own family as he breaks down in tears after being charged with assault
Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed Al Ahmed broke down in tears as he denied allegations he assaulted and intimidated his father, claiming instead that family members have been trying to extort him for his GoFundMe money.
Ahmed, 44, was issued a court attendance notice on Wednesday for alleged domestic violence offences of common assault and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical harm.
The charges relate to an alleged incident at a Bankstown home on March 9, which police say was reported almost a week later. Ahmed is due to appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 29.
Police allege Ahmed placed his elderly father in a headlock during the incident.
An Apprehended Violence Order has also been taken out on behalf of his father, preventing Ahmed from assaulting, stalking, harassing or contacting him. He must also remain at least 100 metres away from his father’s home and workplace.
Speaking on Thursday in an explosive interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Ahmed denied the allegations and became emotional as he claimed he was the victim of an extortion campaign by family members over the millions of dollars donated to him following the Bondi attack.
He claimed the dispute began in February after tensions arose over money from his recovery fundraiser, after two of his brothers came from overseas to support him in Australia.
‘They’ve harassed and abused me and pushed to get money from me before they leave Australia, because I’ve been sponsoring them and brought them to Australia,’ Al Ahmed claimed.
Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has spoken out after being charged over alleged domestic violence offences involving his father
Ahmed says claims against him are ‘fake information’
According to Ahmed, both of his brothers allegedly demanded $100,000 each, while he claimed his father had asked for half of the money raised through the GoFundMe campaign.
Ahmed further alleged his brothers travelled to Australia on three-month visas and later refused to leave.
Ahmed claimed the relationship with his father deteriorated after he reported his brothers’ alleged extortion attempts to police.
He alleged his father became angry and, through other family members, pressured him to withdraw the case against his brothers.
‘He start like sending messages with, with my sister, and he [said] either withdraw the case against the brother, or he will go against me.’
Fordham questioned how Ahmed, who continues to suffer the effects of serious injuries sustained in the Bondi attack, could have allegedly placed someone in a headlock.
‘I’ve seen you at an event where you’re trying to hold a microphone while answering questions at an event, you struggle to hold a microphone. How were you able to put someone in a chokehold – did police have any evidence?’
Ahmed said police did not have any evidence and had only contacted him through his lawyer.
2GB host Ben Fordham questioned how Ahmed, who continues to suffer the effects of serious injuries sustained in the Bondi attack, could have allegedly placed someone in a headlock
‘It’s extortion, and 100 per cent it’s a pay back, that’s what I’m going to call it,’ Ahmed said.
After hearing Ahmed’s account, Fordham said he was unconvinced by the allegations and questioned why police had pursued the matter.
‘Guess what? I don’t believe your brothers, I don’t believe your dad, I don’t believe any of them, and I can’t believe that police took this seriously. But then again, maybe the police have just got to do their job.’
The charges against the Bondi hero come days after his two brothers, Hozifah and Sameh Al Ahmed, appeared in court for allegedly threatening him over the phone.
They were charged with allegedly using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend their older sibling.
The pair have pleaded not guilty after NSW Police alleged they called Ahmed and each demanded $100,000 from him.
The brothers are due to face court on June 8, while Ahmed will face court on July 29.
Ahmed was applauded as a hero following the terror attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach on December 14, in which 15 innocent people lost their lives.
Ahmed wrestled a gun from one of the two alleged gunmen, Sajid Akram, who was later fatally shot by police.
The surviving gunman, Naveed Akram, remains before the court.
Ahmed was severely injured in the attack and has still not fully recovered. People around the world donated to a fundraiser for his recovery, which raised about $2.6 million.
