DENVER, Colo. — The man accused of carrying out a Molotov cocktail attack against a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder earlier this month has now been formally charged with 12 federal hate crimes, according to a federal grand jury indictment unsealed Wednesday.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national living in the U.S. unlawfully, is alleged to have intentionally targeted members of the “Run for Their Lives” group during a peaceful demonstration on June 1 outside the Boulder County Courthouse. Prosecutors have called the act a “targeted terror attack.”
Details of the Indictment
According to the indictment:
- Soliman carried a backpack weed sprayer filled with flammable liquid and a plastic container with over a dozen glass bottles and jars — several rigged with cloth wicks.
- He approached the demonstrators shortly after 1:30 p.m. and threw two lit Molotov cocktails while shouting “Free Palestine!“
- Eight people, ages 52 to 88, were injured in the attack.
Authorities later discovered a handwritten note in Soliman’s vehicle referring to Zionism as a “cancer entity” and pledging revenge against anyone supporting Israel. In interviews, Soliman allegedly admitted that he intentionally sought out a Zionist event online and targeted the group based on their perceived connection to Israel.
Legal Arguments and Charges
The 12 federal charges include:
- Nine counts of willfully causing injury based on race, color, religion, or national origin under 18 U.S.C. § 249, the federal hate crime statute.
- Three counts of using fire or explosives in the commission of a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h).
Soliman’s defense attorney has argued that the attack was politically motivated — opposition to Zionism — and thus not a hate crime under U.S. law. However, prosecutors contend that Soliman’s statements and actions show he intended to harm people based on their perceived Jewish identity or support for Israel, which qualifies as a hate crime.
What’s Next
Soliman is scheduled to appear in court this Friday, where he is expected to enter a plea. If convicted on all charges, he faces life in federal prison.
This case has intensified national debate around hate crime statutes, free speech, and the limits of political protest amid escalating global tensions tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
