The Sydney fruit seller who became an international hero after helping stop last year’s deadly terror attack targeting a Jewish event at Bondi Beach has pleaded not guilty to assaulting his father.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, appeared in court in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, where he denied charges of common assault and domestic stalking or intimidation. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 12.

Ahmed was widely praised after dramatic video showed him risking his own life during the December 14 terror attack, in which 15 people were murdered. As gunfire erupted, he ducked between parked cars, tackled one of the two terrorists, and wrestled away the attacker’s weapon in an attempt to stop the massacre.

Ahmed was wounded by gunfire during the attack and later met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. A public fundraiser launched on his behalf raised more than $1 million.

Outside court, Ahmed’s attorney, Mohamad Sakr, urged the public not to rush to judgment.

“It has been very difficult. It is a family situation that he never expected, one would never want to expect, and it must be very difficult for him,” Sakr said.

“There is one thing that must be upheld and that is the presumption of innocence. He is a heroic man and his honesty and dignity should be maintained until these matters are determined.”

Last month, Ahmed’s two brothers also appeared in court over allegations that they attempted to pressure him into turning over a portion of the money raised through the public fundraiser.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)