Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian national accused of firebombing a pro-Israel rally in Boulder that killed one person and injured at least a dozen others, pleaded guilty to all state charges on Thursday. The attack occurred during a demonstration supporting Israeli hostages seized by Hamas militants from Gaza.
Key Takeaways
Mohamed Soliman pleaded guilty to all state charges in connection with a firebombing attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder that killed one person and injured dozens. The Egyptian national faces life without parole and additional federal hate crime charges.
- Mohamed Soliman pleaded guilty to 184 counts, including first-degree murder
- Attack on June 1, 2025, targeted pro-Israel demonstrators, killing Karen Diamond
- Soliman used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift blowtorch during the attack
- Federal hate crime trial scheduled for June 1
- Family faces deportation despite claims of being material witnesses
The 46-year-old suspect faced 184 counts, including first-degree murder under two definitions carrying life sentences without parole. Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails at the crowd while yelling 'Free Palestine,' according to court records and prosecutors' accounts. The attack injured 29 people, with one victim, 82-year-old Karen Diamond, dying from her injuries later that month.
Soliman's guilty plea in state court comes as he also faces 12 federal hate crime charges, with a trial scheduled for June 1 at the U.S. District Court in Denver. Prosecutors allege Soliman targeted victims based on their perceived or actual connection to Israel. His defense argues that his actions were motivated by opposition to Zionism rather than hate.
The case has drawn attention due to the legal battles surrounding Soliman's family, who were detained by immigration authorities after the attack. A federal judge ordered their release in April, but they were briefly re-detained before being released again. Soliman's attorneys argue that his family should remain in the U.S. as material witnesses if federal prosecutors pursue the death penalty.
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