The hero of the attack is on trial: an indictment against Ahmed al-Ahmed

Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the man considered a hero after he risked his life to stop one of the terrorists in the deadly attack in Bondi in Sydney, was charged today (Thursday) with assault offences, it was reported in a media outlet in Australia. Al-Ahmed, the 44-year-old received much praise after he intervened during the deadly attack in December at an event of the Jewish community to mark the holiday of Hanukkah. In the attack, 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured.

According to the reports, Al-Ahmed is accused of attacking his father during the month of March. As a result, an indictment was filed against him for assault in the context of domestic violence, as well as for harassment and threats.

The news channel News7 in Australia reported that the indictment alleges that Ahmed Al-Ahmed held his father in a “choke hold”. A restraining order was issued against him and he is required to keep a distance of at least 100 meters from his residence and his father’s place of work.

Al-Ahmed denies the charges against him. In an interview with the Australian ABC network, he said that the claims “are not true at all” and that this is “fake news”.

The charges against Ahmed al-Ahmad were filed just days after his two younger brothers, Hudifah and Sameh al-Ahmad, also appeared in court. The two were accused of trying to threaten, harass and hurt their older brother. According to the police, the two brothers called Ahmed Al-Ahmed and demanded 100,000 Australian dollars each. The two pleaded not guilty to all charges against them, and were released on bail and are expected to appear in court on June 8.

In the documentation published after the attack, Al-Ahmed is seen struggling with one of the terrorists and manages to wrest the weapons from his hands. During the confrontation he was shot several times. Following his heroic actions, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, came to visit him in the hospital. Albanizi then described him as “the best of our country”.

After the attack, a crowdfunding campaign was launched for him, during which more than 2.5 million Australian dollars were collected. Al-Ahmed is expected to appear for a hearing at the local court in Bankstown, Sydney on July 29.

Al-Ahmed has not yet fully recovered from his injuries, and two bullets are still lodged in his arm. In January of this year, he posted on Instagram an update on his medical condition and the rehabilitation process, saying that he felt “deep sadness and pain” in the face of negative reactions to the benefits and recognition he received.

“They forget that I was shot five times and that two bullets are still in my body. I live with this pain day and night,” he wrote to his followers. “What is even more difficult is that I still cannot move my hand or fingers. The doctors have told me that I may lose the ability to move my hand permanently. What money or honor can be equal to such a loss? Is there anyone among those negative people who would be willing to give up their hand for money and give me back my hand as it was?”