New federal hate crime, explosives charges filed against Boulder attacker

Mohamed Sabry Soliman faces an indictment with nine hate-crime counts and three explosives charges following his June 1 attack in Boulder. Federal prosecutors assert that Soliman's actions, which included throwing Molotov cocktails while shouting anti-Zionist rhetoric, were motivated by hatred towards a perceived national origin, which they argue qualifies as a hate crime under federal law. The updated charges encompass eight counts for individual victims and a ninth for others impacted by the attack. Previously charged with only one federal hate-crime count, Soliman now also confronts over 100 charges in state court. A federal judge found probable cause to proceed with the hate-crime charge last week.

Soliman, 45, allegedly told investigators he wanted to "kill all Zionist people," highlighting the violent intent behind his actions. The severity of the hate-crime charges could lead to a life sentence upon conviction. This case reflects ongoing tensions surrounding political ideologies and their intersection with legal definitions of hate crimes.