A Maple Ridge city councillor has taken a leave of absence after being charged with six criminal offences, including assault and firearm-related charges.

Ahmed Antar Yousef Mohamed, known publicly as Ahmed Yousef, is facing four counts of assault, one count of pointing a firearm at another person, and one count of unsafe storage of a firearm.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page Monday, Yousef said he would be stepping away from his council duties effective immediately to "focus [his] time and efforts on some personal matters."

"I hope to take my seat back at Council at the earliest possible opportunity," he wrote.

In 2022, the B.C. government amended the Local Government Act to address situations where municipal elected officials are charged with or convicted of criminal offences.

The amendments allow for the disqualification of local politicians if convicted of an indictable offence and allow them to be placed on paid leave when charged with a criminal offence until the process is complete or the charges are resolved.

The City of Maple Ridge confirmed his leave in a brief statement.

"[We are] unable to provide any further details on the matter," the statement read, adding that city council continues to meet quorum and "can conduct City business as usual."

Yousef was first elected to Maple Ridge council in 2018.