Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed Al Ahmed broke down in tears on Friday as he denied allegations he attacked his father – and claimed family members have been trying to extort him out of his $2.6million GoFundMe fortune.
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 was reported to police 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 100m away from his father’s home and workplace.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday, Ahmed denied the allegations and became emotional as he claimed he was the victim of an extortion plot by family members over the millions donated to him after his act of heroism at Bondi.
He claimed the dispute began in February after tensions arose over money from his recovery fundraiser, when two of his brothers arrived in Australia to support him.
‘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,’ Ahmed claimed.
Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed broke down in tears on 2GB, denied assaulting his father and claimed family members tried to extort him over his $2.6million GoFundMe fund
Ahmed Al Ahmed claimed his brothers demanded $100,000 each from his recovery fund and that the charges against him are ‘100 per cent payback’ after he went to police
2GB host Ben Fordham questioned how Ahmed, who suffered serious injuries in the Bondi attack, could have allegedly put someone in a headlock
Ahmed alleged both his brothers demanded $100,000 each, while he claimed his father had asked for half the money raised through the GoFundMe campaign.
Ahmed said his brothers travelled to Australia on three-month visas but alleged they 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 pressured him through other family members to withdraw the police complaint against his brothers.
‘He started sending messages with my sister, and he [said] either withdraw the case against the brother, or he will go against me,’ he told Fordham.
Fordham questioned how Ahmed could have allegedly placed someone in a headlock when he still suffers the effect of the serious injuries he sustained in the Bondi attack.
‘I’ve seen you at an event where you’re trying to hold a microphone while answering questions,’ said Fordham.
‘How were you able to put someone in a chokehold – did police have any evidence?’
Ahmed said police had no evidence and had only contacted him through his lawyer.
Ahmed Al Ahmed was hailed a hero after the Bondi terror attack when he wrestled a gun from one of the gunmen and helped stop further bloodshed
Ahmed Al Ahmed was recognised as a hero after the Bondi terror attack when he wrestled a gun from Sajid Akram, who was later fatally shot by police.
‘It’s extortion, and 100 per cent it’s a payback, that’s what I’m going to call it,’ Ahmed alleged.
Fordham questioned why police had pursued the matter and said he was unconvinced the assault allegations .
‘Guess what? I don’t believe your brothers, I don’t believe your dad, I don’t believe any of them,’ said Fordham.
‘I can’t believe police took this seriously. But then again, maybe the police have just got to do their job.’
Ahmed said he hopes the charges will be dropped.
‘Honestly, I’m disappointed,’ he said. ‘This situation caused me stress and anxiety. I’m very upset.
‘This situation is untrue. I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy. I never hurt anyone and I’ve never been violent.
‘Since what happened at Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance at life. I’ve been trying to look after my health and recover.’
Ahmed said he hopes the charges will be dropped, and said: ‘This situation is untrue. I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy. I never hurt anyone and I’ve never been violent’
As Ahmed broke down in tears, Fordham praised his actions during the Bondi attack.
‘I’ll never ever ever forget what you did for the rest of my life,’ said Fordham.
‘I’ve lived in this city my whole life. It was the darkest day in our history, and you stood tall on behalf of every single one of us.
‘You did something that we all wish we would do, but in the bottom of our guts, we don’t know whether we would have the balls to do it.
‘I hope that common sense prevails here. I don’t know what went on or what didn’t go on, but I find this all very hard to believe. You stay strong and you fight these charges.’
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 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
The brothers are due to face court on June 8, while Ahmed will face court on July 29.
Ahmed was hailed 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 terrorist Sajid Akram, who was later fatally shot by police.
The surviving alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, remains before the court.
