Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Sydney resident who subdued one of the two attackers on Bondi Beach and was rewarded with a check for 2.5 million dollars (about 2.1 million euros) raised in his support for his heroic act, has been charged with alleged assault on his father in a Bankstown home, in southwestern Sydney, last March.
In an official statement, the New South Wales Police explained that "a 44-year-old man received a court summons yesterday for common assault" and harassment or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm." Sources from the ABC network indicated on Thursday that Ahmed was the alleged perpetrator, although he has denied it.
Ahmed—who had to be admitted to the hospital after being shot while intervening and even met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese—was awarded a check presented by the influencer Zachery Dereniowski, from the contributions of 43,000 donors.
Bondi Beach was partially hosting an event for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah when the attack occurred. Around 2,000 people were participating in the celebration when two men, father and son, burst in, and their attack left 15 dead and more than 40 injured of varying severity.
The father died from police gunfire, while the second shooter was wounded by officers and faces almost 60 charges, including murder and terrorism offenses. The jihadist group Islamic State called the attack "a source of pride," although it did not formally claim responsibility.