Ahmed al Ahmed, who became known around the world after confronting a gunman during the Bondi Beach shooting, is no longer facing assault charges. Police charged the 44-year-old in June. The charges followed an alleged incident involving his father at a home in southwest Sydney in March.
Ahmed was accused of domestic violence and common assault. He also faced allegations of stalking and intimidation. He denied the allegations. On Wednesday, prosecutors withdrew the charges during a court hearing in Sydney.
The decision came after an agreement was reached. Ahmed will follow an apprehended domestic violence order for 12 months. The order restricts his contact with his father. The order also prevents him from assaulting, threatening, stalking or intimidating his father.
Ahmed accepted the order without admitting to the allegations. After leaving court, Ahmed said he was a “free man”. He also said he hoped for peace. His lawyer, Mohamed Sakr, confirmed that the order was accepted without any admission of wrongdoing.
Ahmed gained international attention after the deadly Bondi Beach attack last year. Video showed him confronting one of two gunmen during a Jewish event. He tackled Sajid Akram and managed to take a firearm from him.
Ahmed was then shot several times by another alleged attacker, Naveed Akram. The attack killed 15 people. It was later declared a terrorist attack by Australian authorities. Police said the Jewish community was the target.
Ahmed became widely praised for his actions. A public fundraising campaign raised more than AU$2.5 million for him. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also visited Ahmed while he was recovering in hospital.
Meanwhile, two of Ahmed’s brothers have faced separate legal trouble. They were recently charged over claims that they threatened Ahmed and attempted to take some of the money donated to him. The latest court decision means Ahmed is no longer facing the assault charges. However, the 12-month protection order remains in place.
