By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Denver to nine counts of hate crimes and other charges stemming from a June 2025 firebombing attack on a Jewish demonstration in Boulder, Colorado.
Federal charges and plea
Soliman admitted to two counts of using fire or an explosive to commit a felony and one count of carrying an explosive during a felony. Federal prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty, making the charges punishable by life in prison. Soliman, who spoke through an interpreter, answered only “yes” and “no” during the hearing and was led away in handcuffs and shackles.
Deadly attack on Pearl Street
On June 1, 2025, Soliman approached a weekly “Run for Their Lives” demonstration on the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, posing as a gardener. He threw two Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower, shouting “Free Palestine!” The attack badly burned 82-year-old Karen Diamond, who died three weeks later, and injured a dozen others. Diamond’s family said she suffered “indescribable pain.”
State conviction and sentencing timeline
Soliman is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to state charges last spring. His federal sentencing is scheduled for January 7. U.S. District Judge John Kane said he had not yet decided on the sentence. Several victims plan to deliver impact statements at that hearing.
Planning and immigration status
Authorities said Soliman planned the attack for a year and brought 18 Molotov cocktails to the scene, though only two were thrown. He told police he wanted “to kill all Zionist people.” Federal officials confirmed he was in the U.S. illegally: he entered on a tourist visa in 2022 that expired in 2023, filed for asylum, and received work authorization that also expired. He lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children at the time; the couple divorced in April.
