Bondi Beach hero has assault charges dropped

Australian police dropped assault-related charges against Ahmed al Ahmed in a local Sydney court on Wednesday after he agreed to a 12-month apprehended domestic violence order limiting contact with his father, BBC News reported.

Ahmed, 44, had been charged in June with domestic violence common assault, stalking and intimidation over an alleged March incident with his father at a home in southwest Sydney. He denied the charges.

Prosecutors withdrew the charges after the order was agreed. Outside court, Ahmed welcomed the decision, telling reporters he was a "free man" and hoped for "peace".

Defence lawyer Mohamed Sakr told the court the order, which prohibits Ahmed from assaulting, threatening, stalking or intimidating his father, had been accepted without admissions, according to Australia's national broadcaster ABC.

Ahmed made global headlines last year after footage showed him tackling one of two gunmen who opened fire during a Jewish event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. He wrestled a firearm from Sajid Akram and was later shot several times by a second alleged gunman, Naveed Akram.

Police later declared the attack a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community. A fundraiser raised more than AU$2.5m ($1.7m; £1.24m) for Ahmed, who also received a bedside visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.