The police prosecutor's office of Australia has decided this Wednesday to withdraw all charges presented against Ahmed al Ahmed, a resident of Sydney of Syrian origin who immobilized one of the two attackers during the attack on Bondi Beach, after having previously accused him of assaulting and intimidating his father.
From the very beginning, the man defended his innocence against the two charges of "simple assault and harassment or intimidation with the intent to cause physical harm" arising from a violent family argument that occurred at his parent's home in Bankstown.
According to the ABC network, the Police officially proceeded this Wednesday to withdraw the charges before the Bankstown court after reaching an agreement with the defense, whereby Ahmed agrees to submit to a restraining order for 12 months, without this implying an admission of responsibility or guilt.
Last month, provisional restraining orders were issued against two of Ahmed's brothers with the aim of protecting him, after they allegedly made verbal threats against him by phone. Several Australian media pointed to the existence of prior conflicts and strong disagreements regarding how to manage the media exposure and the support received by the one known as the 'Bondi hero'.
Ahmed, who had to be hospitalized after being shot during his intervention and met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, received a check from the 'influencer' Zachery Dereniowski, coming from donations made by 43,000 people.
Bondi Beach was partially hosting a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah when the attack occurred. About 2,000 people were gathered for this event at the time when two men, a father and son, carried out the assault, which left 15 dead and more than 40 injured of varying severity.
The father died from police gunfire, while the other shooter was hit by the officers and faces nearly 60 charges, including murder and terrorist attack. The jihadist group Islamic State claimed that the attack was "a pride," although it did not formally claim responsibility for the attack.