Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Hate Crime Charges for Attack on Colorado Demonstration
Mohamed Sabry Soliman indicted for 12 hate crime counts in June 1 attack on Israeli hostages supporters.
In a recent development, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man accused of hurling Molotov cocktails at a group demonstrating in Boulder, Colorado, in support of Israeli hostages, has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges.
The incident took place on June 1, with Soliman being indicted earlier this week for 12 hate crime counts.
He is charged with attempting to kill eight people who were injured by the Molotov cocktails and others nearby.
Soliman's attorney, David Kraut, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during a brief hearing in court.
The possibility of a later plea agreement was acknowledged by both parties involved.
During the court proceeding, Soliman appeared smiling and wearing a khaki jail uniform, with his right hand and arm wrapped in thick bandages due to injuries sustained while throwing the Molotov cocktails.
He listened to the proceedings through headphones provided by an Arabic interpreter.
According to investigators, Soliman intended to kill approximately 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall.
He yelled "Free Palestine" while throwing two of his over two dozen Molotov cocktails.
Additionally, Soliman faces state court charges for attempted murder and other offenses.
Court documents reveal that he posed as a gardener in a construction vest to get close to the group before launching the attack.
Furthermore, he has been indicted for using fire and an explosive to attack the group, carrying an explosive, and violating immigration status as an Egyptian national living in the US without legal authorization.
Soliman's defense team consists of public defenders who do not comment on their cases to the media.
Prosecutors assert that the victims were targeted due to their perceived or actual national origin.
Soliman's defense argues that the alleged attack was motivated by opposition to Zionism, which is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
The incident took place on June 1, with Soliman being indicted earlier this week for 12 hate crime counts.
He is charged with attempting to kill eight people who were injured by the Molotov cocktails and others nearby.
Soliman's attorney, David Kraut, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during a brief hearing in court.
The possibility of a later plea agreement was acknowledged by both parties involved.
During the court proceeding, Soliman appeared smiling and wearing a khaki jail uniform, with his right hand and arm wrapped in thick bandages due to injuries sustained while throwing the Molotov cocktails.
He listened to the proceedings through headphones provided by an Arabic interpreter.
According to investigators, Soliman intended to kill approximately 20 participants at the weekly demonstration on Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall.
He yelled "Free Palestine" while throwing two of his over two dozen Molotov cocktails.
Additionally, Soliman faces state court charges for attempted murder and other offenses.
Court documents reveal that he posed as a gardener in a construction vest to get close to the group before launching the attack.
Furthermore, he has been indicted for using fire and an explosive to attack the group, carrying an explosive, and violating immigration status as an Egyptian national living in the US without legal authorization.
Soliman's defense team consists of public defenders who do not comment on their cases to the media.
Prosecutors assert that the victims were targeted due to their perceived or actual national origin.
Soliman's defense argues that the alleged attack was motivated by opposition to Zionism, which is not considered a hate crime under federal law.
