Man Charged with Hate Crimes at Boulder Israeli Protest

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    In Denver, a man has been charged with 12 counts of hate crimes following an incident in Boulder, Colorado, where he allegedly attacked a group demonstrating support for Israeli hostages using Molotov cocktails. The legal proceedings involving Mohamed Sabry Soliman have progressed as a federal grand jury indicted him with multiple charges on top of an initial singular charge.

    Soliman, accused of attempted murder and other serious offenses, is said to have aimed his attack at individuals based on their perceived or actual ties to Israel, resulting in injuries to eight people. Additionally, the indictment includes charges for attempts to harm others who might have been present during the attack, regardless of their injuries. The federal indictment explicitly labels all these acts as hate crimes.

    Not only has Soliman been charged with attempted murder, but he also faces charges related to the use of explosives during the commission of a felony. Authorities stated that Soliman intended to kill the group gathered for a regular protest at Boulder’s Pearl Street but ultimately used only a fraction of the more than two dozen Molotov cocktails in his possession while shouting political slogans. During their investigation, authorities discovered that Soliman’s attempt to purchase firearms was thwarted due to his immigration status, as he was not a legal citizen.

    In a planned disguise, Soliman donned a construction vest to blend in with the crowd prior to the attack. According to documents, federal officials revealed he was an Egyptian national residing illegally in the United States with his family. Throughout the case, Soliman has been represented by public defenders, who typically refrain from commenting on such matters publicly.

    During a recent hearing, David Kraut, Soliman’s lawyer, argued that the alleged incidents should not be classified as hate crimes, asserting that the motivation was tied to political beliefs rather than hate against individuals. He contended the attack stemmed from opposition to the notion of a Jewish state rather than targeting any ethnic group, as defined by federal law.

    Soliman is set to appear in federal court imminently, where he will be required to enter a plea regarding the numerous charges against him.