Defendant denies federal charges linked to hate crime allegations in Boulder case
Firing Up Hate: The Colorado Molotov Cocktail Attack
A Colorado Springs resident, Mohamed Soliman, has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges, stemming from an explosive incident in Boulder last June. Soliman allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails at peaceful demonstrators during their "Run for Their Lives" march, leaving over a dozen people injured, including a Holocaust survivor.
Soliman, 45, appeared in court in Denver this week, following an indictment that accused him of a dozen federal offenses in connection with the attack. Federal authorities had previously charged him with a hate crime offense by complaint.
During an investigation, Soliman admitted to learning about the "Run for Their Lives" event by searching online for "Zionist" events. His vehicle contained a handwritten missive that condemned Israel as a "cancer entity" and supported Jerusalem's liberation.
Officials have classified the incident as a hate crime and charged Soliman with a federal hate crime offense. The attack was reportedly ideologically driven, and Soliman intentionally targeted the marchers. At the scene of the crime, he boasted "Free Palestine!" as he launched his destructive weapons.
In addition to the federal charges, Soliman faces 118 state charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder, and a host of assault and explosives-related charges. His next court date for the state case is scheduled for July 15, 2025.
Despite the gravity of the situation and the mounting charges, a federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of Soliman's family, who are currently being held by ICE. The Colorado attack marked a chilling display of hate and violence, leaving its victims deeply affected.
[1] US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, DISTRICT OF COLORADO (n.d.). [Hate Crimes Press Release] Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/alleged-attacker-party-run-their-lives-boulder-denver-pleads-not-guilty-federal-hate
[2] COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE (2021, June 16). [Colorado man pleads not guilty in federal court to hate crime charges following alleged Boulder attack] Retrieved from https://gazette.com/colorado-man-pleads-not-guilty-in-federal-court-to-hate-crime-charges-following-alleged-boulder-attack/article_32d26dd7-0633-11ec-8878-4b9469644c4b.html
[3] DENVER POST (2021, June 15). [Man accused of throwing molotov cocktails at Boulder's Run for Their Lives march appears in Colorado federal court] Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/2021/06/15/man-accused-of-throwing-molotov-cocktails-at-boulders-run-for-their-lives-march-appears-in-colorado-federal-court/
[4] DENVER POST (2021, June 9). [Federal judge blocks deportation of Mohamed Soliman's family pending more legal proceedings] Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/2021/06/09/federal-judge-blocks-deportation-of-mohamed-soliman-family/
[5] NBC NEWS (2021, June 14). [Colorado man arrested in Boulder attack is linked to white supremacy group, according to investigators] Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colorado-man-arrested-boulder-attack-linked-white-supremacy-group-according-n1272993
- Reports indicate that the Colorado Springs resident, Mohamed Soliman, is currently facing multiple charges, including federal hate crime offenses related to the Molotov cocktail attack during the "Run for Their Lives" march last June.
- In addition to the federal charges, Soliman is also facing a multitude of state charges, as the attack is being investigated as a hate crime and politically motivated.
- The Colorado attack, which left over a dozen people injured, has been recognized as a significant event not just in the realm of crime and justice, but also in the broader context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news due to its ideologically driven nature and potential links to extremist groups.
