Bondi Beach hero cleared of assault as accused gunman faces 78 charges over Sydney massacre

Accused gunman in court

Naveed Akram, 25, appeared briefly in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday facing 78 charges related to the Dec. 14 massacre at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration. Police allege the attack was inspired by the Islamic State group. The charges include murder, attempted murder and committing a terrorist act. Akram has not entered pleas.

Prosecutor Danielle New outlined the scale of the evidence being compiled. More than 800 witness statements had already been examined, along with video, ballistic evidence and data from seven electronic devices. However, data from another 12 electronic devices and an improvised explosive device testing report had yet to be reviewed. The case was adjourned until Oct. 28, when prosecutors will update the court on their progress.

How the attack unfolded

Akram and his 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, allegedly began their attack by throwing four IEDs toward a Jewish crowd, but the devices failed to explode. Police described them as three aluminium pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb containing an explosive, gunpowder and steel ball bearings. While none detonated, police described them as "viable" IEDs. The father was killed in a gunbattle with police and the son was wounded.

Hero's charges withdrawn

In a separate courtroom on the same day, assault charges against the man hailed as a hero during the massacre were dropped. Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, a fruit seller and tobacconist, was charged in June with domestic violence common assault, as well as stalking and intimidation, after an alleged incident with his father on 9 March at a home in southwest Sydney. Ahmed denied both charges and pleaded not guilty at Bankstown Local Court on 24 June.

On Wednesday, prosecutors withdrew the charges after it was agreed that Ahmed would abide by an apprehended domestic violence order for 12 months, limiting his contact with his father. Defence lawyer Mohamed Sakr said the order had been accepted without admissions. Outside court, Ahmed told reporters he was a "free man" and hoped for "peace".

Brothers accused of extortion

When the charges were initially laid, Ahmed alleged members of his family were seeking a cut of the AU$2.5 million ($1.7m; £1.24m) raised on his behalf after he garnered international attention for his actions during the massacre. He told Sydney radio 2GB in June that the situation was extortion and that his two brothers had been harassing him and pushing to get money from him.

His brothers, Sameh and Hozifa, were granted conditional bail in June after pleading not guilty to charges of using a carriage service to menace or harass, regarding claims they tried to extort AU$200,000 from their brother. An interim domestic violence prevention order prohibits the pair from going within 100m of Ahmed or where he lives or works.

Recognition for the hero

Ahmed made global headlines after footage emerged of him tackling one of two gunmen who opened fire during the Jewish event at Bondi Beach. He wrestled a firearm from Sajid Akram and was later shot several times in the arm by a second alleged gunman, Naveed Akram. The attack marked Australia's deadliest mass shooting in decades, and police later declared it a terrorist incident targeting the Jewish community.

A fundraiser in the days after the shooting raised more than AU$2.5m for Ahmed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited him in hospital and described him as a "true Australian hero" and an inspiration to all. Ahmed was also awarded the keys to the city of Canterbury-Bankstown, where he lives, and Waverley, where the attack took place.