Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has broken down in tears during an emotional radio interview, vehemently denying allegations that he assaulted his father. Speaking to 2GB host Ben Fordham on Friday morning, a tearful Mr Al Ahmed insisted he is not a violent person and expressed deep disappointment over the charges.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed. The situation causes me stress … I am very upset about what has happened,” Mr Al Ahmed said. “It’s untrue …. I’ve never been violent, I am not a violent guy. I’m an honest, innocent, honourable guy.”
Mr Al Ahmed, who was dubbed the “Bondi hero” after disarming gunman Sajid Akram during the December shooting that left 15 dead, broke down while defending himself. He added, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life. I’m married, I have two little daughters, three years and six years … I’m honest, innocent and a normal guy and it’s good for people to know I’ve never been a violent guy.”
Fordham Expresses Support
Fordham questioned how Mr Al Ahmed could be “supposed to put someone in a headlock when (you) struggle to hold a microphone” due to bullet fragments still lodged in his arm and shoulder. “I don’t believe them. I don’t believe your brothers, I don’t believe your dad, I don’t believe any of them,” Fordham said, offering his support.
“You put your life on the line for this city and this country and we will never forget that,” Fordham added. “It was the darkest day in our history, and you did something that we all wish we could do. I hope that common sense prevails here.”
Details of the Charges
Mr Al Ahmed will face Bankstown Local Court on July 29 after NSW Police charged him on Thursday with assaulting his father. According to a police statement, officers received a report of an alleged assault at a home in Bankstown on March 9. “On Wednesday (June 3), a 44-year-old man was served with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault (DV) and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic),” police said. 7News reported the assault charge relates to allegations he put his father in a headlock. An apprehended violence order has been issued, requiring him to stay 100 metres away from his father’s home and workplace.
Speaking to the ABC, Mr Al Ahmed described the allegations as “fake information” and said he was unaware of the alleged incident. “It’s fake information … it’s not true at all,” he told the broadcaster. “I don’t have any information at all.” Mr Al Ahmed will defend the charges.
Brothers Also Face Court
The charges against Mr Al Ahmed come days after his two younger brothers, Hozifah and Sameh Al Ahmed, faced court. In May, they were charged with allegedly using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend their older sibling. Police alleged the brothers demanded $100,000 each from Mr Al Ahmed. They have pleaded not guilty and are due to appear in court on June 8.
Background on the Bondi Attack
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police after the December attack, while his son Naveed was injured and taken into custody. Naveed now faces dozens of charges, including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder. Mr Al Ahmed sustained five bullet wounds to his shoulder and spent two weeks in hospital undergoing several operations. A fundraiser launched after the attack raised $2.6 million for his support and recovery, which he received while still in hospital.
Mr Al Ahmed owned a tobacco store in Sutherland, which remained closed after the attack before he sold the business in March. Following his recovery, he was honoured at multiple events, including the Ashes Test and a charity gala in New York, and received keys to the city from Canterbury-Bankstown and Waverley councils. He was named Canterbury Bankstown Local Hero for 2026.
Despite the accolades, Mr Al Ahmed has not fully recovered, with two bullets still lodged in his arm. In January, he shared an update on Instagram, expressing “deep sadness and pain” over negative comments about the benefits he received. “They forget that I was shot five times, and two bullets are still in my body. I live with that pain day and night,” he wrote. “What is even harder is that I still cannot move my hand or fingers. Doctors have told me that I may lose movement in my hand forever. So what money or honour can ever equal this loss?”
