Accused Colorado firebomber pleads not guilty to hate crimes at demonstration for Israeli hostages
Share this @internewscast.com

A man facing allegations of throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, who were rallying for Israeli hostages, entered a not guilty plea to federal hate crime charges on Friday.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman was charged earlier this week with 12 hate crime offenses related to the June 1 incident. He is accused of attempting to kill eight individuals who were injured by the Molotov cocktails, along with others in the vicinity.

Soliman’s attorney, David Kraut, entered the not guilty plea on Soliman’s behalf during a quick hearing.

Magistrate Judge Kathryn Starnella noted that lawyers had acknowledged that a plea agreement in the case was possible later.

Soliman, dressed in a khaki prison outfit, entered the courtroom with a smile, clutching an envelope in his cuffed hands. His right hand and arm were heavily bandaged, a result of burns sustained while allegedly throwing the second of two Molotov cocktails at the group, as revealed by an investigator’s testimony last week.

He listened to a translation of the hearing provided by an Arabic interpreter through headphones. He did not speak during the hearing.

Investigators say Soliman told them he intended to kill the roughly 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian mall. But he threw just two of his over two dozen Molotov cocktails while yelling “Free Palestine.”

Soliman, who is also being prosecuted in state court for attempted murder and other charges, told investigators he tried to buy a gun but was not able to because he was not a “legal citizen.”

He posed as a gardener, wearing a construction vest, to get close to the group before launching the attack, according to court documents. He was also indicted for using fire and an explosive to attack the group and for carrying an explosive, which were included in the hate crime counts.

Federal authorities say Soliman, an Egyptian national, has been living in the U.S. illegally with his family.

Soliman is being represented in state and federal court by public defenders who do not comment on their cases to the media.

Prosecutors say the victims were targeted because of their perceived or actual national origin.

At a hearing last week, Kraut, Soliman’s defense attorney, urged Starnella not to allow the case to move forward. Kraut said the alleged attack was not a hate crime. He said it was motivated by opposition to Zionism, the movement to establish and sustain a Jewish state in Israel.

An attack motivated by someone’s political views is not considered a hate crime under federal law.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Large fire burning at night.

Trump Criticizes Putin’s ‘Empty Promises’ to End Ukraine War in Blunt Remarks

A RAGING Donald Trump has slammed Vladimir Putin for talking “bull****” about…
2 men arrested in connection to deadly Macclenny double shooting

Two Arrested in Macclenny Double Shooting Case

Authorities have charged two men in the fatal shooting of Devin “DJ”…
Italian astronomers discover dense 'fossil galaxy' roughly 3 billion light-years from Earth

Italian Astronomers Uncover Ancient ‘Fossil Galaxy’ 3 Billion Light-Years Away

An Italian team of astronomers has identified a fossil galaxy located approximately…
Mariners’ Cal Raleigh belts league-leading 36th homer to stay two ahead of Aaron Judge

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners Hits 36th Homer, Maintaining Lead Over Aaron Judge

The only MLB player with more home runs than Aaron Judge this…
Read Bryan Kohberger's signed killer confession

Check Out Bryan Kohberger’s Signed Admission of Guilt

Bryan Kohberger put his guilt in writing and signed the bottom –…
Sheriff highlights drop in murders, addresses questions on new jail at JSO town hall

Sheriff Discusses Decrease in Homicides and Answers Jail-Related Queries at JSO Town Hall

Sheriff T.K. Waters addresses public safety concerns and questions on jail at…
Lil Duval's Jacksonville concert canceled for July 11

Lil Duval’s Jacksonville Show on July 11th Called Off

Lil Duval’s July 11 concert at Jacksonville’s VyStar Arena is canceled, with…
Long-range Altius reconnaissance and strike drone in flight.

Five-Tonne AI War Drone Crashes into Russian House During Test Flight

THIS is the humiliating moment a hulking six-tonne Putin drone “guided by…
Massachusetts great white shark encounter with paddleboarders Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin in Cape Cod

Great White Shark Sighting in Cape Cod Involving Paddleboarders Margaret Bowles and Maddie Cronin

A Jaws-some experience. A great white shark startled two Massachusetts paddleboarders as…
U.S. Military Aid Israel: Funding IDF Projects

U.S. Military Support for Israel: Financing IDF Initiatives

The United States channels hundreds of millions in military aid to build…
3 dead as flash flooding hits mountain village of Ruidoso in New Mexico, officials say

Tragic Flash Flooding Claims 3 Lives in Ruidoso Mountain Village, New Mexico

In the mountain village of Ruidoso in southern New Mexico, three individuals…
Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses 4th of July violence, future of NASCAR Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson Addresses 4th of July Violence and the Future of NASCAR in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is open to bringing…