The man accused of launching a Molotov cocktail attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado is now facing federal hate crime charges, as officials vowed to take action against individuals living in the U.S. on visas. Mohammed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, is said to have thrown firebombs and sprayed gasoline at a group supporting Israeli hostages held by Hamas on June 1st in Boulder.
The attack left twelve people injured, two of them seriously, though most of the victims have since been released from the hospital. According to J. Bishop Grewell, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Soliman had been planning the assault for nearly a year. He reportedly threw Molotov cocktails at a peaceful group of men and women, some of whom were in their 80s, as they walked on a Sunday to raise awareness about the hostages.
When questioned by authorities, Soliman said he wanted the protesters to die and expressed no remorse for his actions, even stating that he would do it again. Soliman also admitted to trying to buy a gun but was unable to because he wasn’t a U.S. citizen. Authorities found 16 unused Molotov cocktails and a gasoline-filled backpack sprayer, which they believe Soliman intended to use as a makeshift flamethrower.
Soliman is facing severe legal consequences, including federal hate crime charges that could lead to a life sentence, as well as state charges for attempted murder that could result in hundreds of years in prison. U.S. Homeland Security officials revealed that Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and was in the U.S. illegally, though he had applied for asylum in September 2022.
