A 35-year-old photographer has been arrested for allegedly stealing camera equipment from a victim of the Bondi beach gun attack. Police raided his home in Sydney`s western suburbs on Wednesday, seizing the stolen camera alongside handcuffs, white crystal powder, and various electronic devices. The accused then allegedly pawned the items just days after the mass shooting.The man was also working as a photographer at the same event.
The December 14 attack at a Hanukkah gathering claimed 15 lives, including that of Peter Meagher. Meagher was a retired police officer and photographer whose missing equipment sparked a public appeal from his wife in March. Virginia Meagher wrote on Facebook that someone other than authorities had picked up the camera from Archer Park.The accused faces multiple charges including larceny and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in court next month. Meanwhile, a separate legal drama has unfolded involving the celebrated hero of the same attack. Syrian-Australian shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed gained international praise after tackling gunman Sajid Akram and wrestling a weapon away from him.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited him in the hospital as he recovered from multiple gunshot wounds.
The public subsequently raised more than 2.5 million Australian dollars to support Ahmed, who has undergone several surgeries on his arm. Now, police say his two brothers, Hozifa and Sameh al Ahmed, are demanding a cut of those donations. Court documents reveal the siblings threatened him and demanded 100,000 dollars each.Hozifa allegedly threatened to put Ahmed`s head under a boot and break his other arm.
Shortly after that call, Sameh allegedly phoned with a similar extortion demand. The brothers had moved to Australia after the shooting and initially lived with Ahmed before their relationship deteriorated. Both men appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of using a carriage service to harass or offend.They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The brothers are due back in court in July. In the meantime, authorities have issued interim apprehended domestic violence orders requiring them to stay away from Ahmed.
