The individual accused in a “targeted terror attack” that took place in Boulder, Colorado, earlier this month has been formally charged with additional hate crimes as of Wednesday.
A federal grand jury indictment unsealed in Denver on Wednesday includes 12 counts of hate crimes against Mohamed Sabry Soliman. These charges were brought forward for his use of Molotov cocktails in an attack on a group advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Initially, Soliman was charged with a single count of a hate crime the day following the attack.
The indictment from Wednesday claims that on June 1, Soliman arrived at a park in front of the Boulder County Courthouse equipped with a backpack weed sprayer filled with a flammable liquid, along with a black plastic container. This container held over a dozen glass bottles and jars, also containing a flammable liquid, several of which allegedly included red rags serving as wicks.
Around 1:30 p.m., Soliman approached people participating in the “Run for Their Lives” demonstration and hurled two lit Molotov cocktails at them while shouting “Free Palestine!” the indictment alleges.
The indictment alleges that Soliman, a 45-year-old illegal immigrant from Egypt, told law enforcement during an interview that he wanted to take revenge on Zionists – i.e., anyone supporting Israel – and scoured the internet looking for a pro-Israeli event.
Video stills of a man later identified as Mohamed Soliman throwing an incendiary device into a group of pro-Israel supporters (off camera) in Boulder, Colorado, Sunday, June 1, 2025. Soliman was subsequently arrested by police. (Alex Osante)
Eventually, Soliman allegedly told authorities that he discovered the “Run for Their Lives” group and identified the participants when he saw them carrying flags outside the courthouse.
The group is an organization that facilitates running and walking events calling for the release of all hostages being held in Gaza after the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
Snipers atop the Boulder County Jail as Mohamed Soliman is set to be arraigned, Monday, June 2, 2025. (Shane Anthony for Fox News)
The indictment accuses Soliman of trying to kill eight people – ages 52 to 88 – who were hurt by the Molotov cocktails and targeting them because of their perceived or actual national origin. Soliman’s defense attorney argued at a hearing last week that the alleged attack was motivated by opposition to Zionism as a political ideology – which is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
Soliman is scheduled to appear in court this Friday for a hearing in which he will be asked to enter a plea on the hate crime charges.
