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A 46-year-old Egyptian national pleaded guilty on Thursday to dozens of felony counts, including first-degree murder, for a firebomb attack on a demonstrators' rally in Boulder, Colorado, last year, according to reports from the Jerusalem Post and the South China Morning Post. The attack killed one person and injured at least a dozen others.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing a Reuters report, described the attack as occurring at a pro-Israel rally and emphasized Soliman's actions and motivations, using terms like "terrorism" and "fire-bombing." The South China Morning Post framed the story more neutrally, focusing on the guilty plea and potential sentence, and described the event as a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Both outlets reported that Mohamed Sabry Soliman entered his plea in Boulder County District Court on Thursday, and both noted he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Jerusalem Post provided more detailed information about the charges and the attack's circumstances, while the South China Morning Post added that Soliman's lawyers had revealed the guilty plea in a Sunday court filing, and that he had pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges.

Key Claims

  • Soliman pleaded guilty to all charges he faced in state court, including first-degree murder under two definitions of the offense, each carrying a life sentence without parole, as reported by both the Jerusalem Post and the South China Morning Post.
  • The attack occurred on June 1, 2025, during a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, according to both outlets.
  • One person was killed and at least a dozen others were injured in the attack, as reported by both outlets.
  • Soliman used gasoline bombs and a makeshift blowtorch during the attack, and yelled "Free Palestine" as the bombs burst into flames, according to the Jerusalem Post, which cited court records from both prosecution and defense.
  • Soliman was charged with a total of 184 counts stemming from the attack, including multiple charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, and criminal use of explosives and incendiary devices, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Authorities identified 29 victims, including some who were burned or injured while fleeing or who were close enough to be considered targets of attempted murder, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Soliman pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges, and his lawyers said prosecutors are weighing whether to seek the death penalty in that case, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The attack took place at a pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder, a city of about 100,000 people northwest of Denver, and one victim, 82-year-old Karen Diamond, was injured and later died, according to the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

  • Prosecution and Defense Accounts: Court records cited by the Jerusalem Post indicate both prosecution and defense agree that Soliman tossed two Molotov cocktails at a group of people at a peaceful rally organized to draw attention to the plight of Israeli hostages seized from Gaza on October 7, 2023.
  • Federal Case: According to Soliman's lawyers, as reported by the South China Morning Post, he has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime charges, and prosecutors are considering whether to seek the death penalty in that case.