Man charged with hate crime after bomb attack on pro-Israel demonstration
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and hate crime, for the June 1 attack in Boulder.
- Evidence presented in court indicates that Soliman used the attack to target individuals he perceived as Zionists.
- The case raises important legal questions regarding the definition of Zionism and implications of hate crime laws.
In Boulder, Colorado, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, faces multiple charges tied to a Molotov cocktail attack that injured 12 participants of a pro-Israel demonstration on June 1. Allegations reveal that Soliman, who has been living in the United States illegally, intended to kill all individuals he perceived as Zionists during this attack. Authorities claimed he had planned the act for about a year and specifically targeted the demonstration hosted on Pearl Street, which aimed to draw awareness to Israeli hostages. During his preliminary hearing, federal prosecutors presented evidence to support the hate crime charge, illustrating Soliman's intentions to harm individuals based on their perceived national origin. Investigators reported that Soliman yelled “Free Palestine” as he hurled two Molotov cocktails at the gathering. Notably, he had conducted internet searches for “Zionist events” before that day and was found with inscriptions like “1187” on items discovered in his car, linking to significant events related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Soliman’s history of radicalization has raised concerns, particularly regarding his motivations rooted in a deep-seated belief against Zionism and the state of Israel. In a courtroom setting, FBI special agent Timothy Chan testified that Soliman specifically identified his targets based on their support for Israel and that he made statements differentiating between Zionists and Jews. The complicated nature of defining Zionism as both a political movement and a type of national origin has led to debates in legal proceedings surrounding the hate crime charges. As the court proceedings progress, significant discussions will revolve around the implications of Soliman's actions and whether they reflect an act of individual terrorism fueled by his ideology. The next hearing is scheduled for June 27, which will focus on arraignment and detention matters, as Soliman has not yet been formally indicted on the hate crime charges despite the available evidence linking him to this serious incident.