Judge Blocks Deportation of Boulder Suspect's Family
The man accused of attacking a group with makeshift flamethrowers in Boulder, Colo., told authorities he had planned the attack for more than a year. A federal judge in Colorado has issued an order blocking the deportation of the family of Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man accused in Sunday's incendiary attack in Boulder, Colo. In a Wednesday order, Judge Gordon Gallagher prevented the government from removing Soliman's wife and five children for the time being, saying that deporting them without process could cause irreparable harm.

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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Trump admin officials blast LA Mayor Karen Bass' response to ICE raids — as cops clash with violent protesters
Several Trump administration officials fired back at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Friday after she pledged to oppose federal efforts to nab illegal immigrants — as cops in her city had to use flash bangs to disperse the violent mob of protesters who descended on the arrest sites. 'We will not stand for this,' Bass said in a statement released after federal immigration authorities arrested 44 people in raids across Los Angeles. 'I am deeply angered by what has taken place,' the Democrat mayor fumed, noting that her office 'is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations.' Advertisement 4 Bass slammed the Los Angeles immigration enforcement raids in a social media post. AFP via Getty Images White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller quickly dismissed Bass' declaration. 'You have no say in this at all,' Miller shot back on social media. Advertisement 'Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced,' he noted on X. Miller was one of several Trump administration officials that took issue with Bass' statements. 'They're Illegals. Not 'immigrants.' One just tried to burn Americans alive in Boulder,' White House adviser Sebastian Gorka wrote on X, referring to Colorado terror suspect Mohamed Soliman. The Egyptian national overstayed his tourist visa before allegedly firebombing a peaceful march for Israeli hostages still held by Hamas on Sunday in a heinous antisemitic attack. Advertisement 'If you're aiding and abetting them you're a criminal too,' Gorka said in response to the LA mayor's comments. 'Are you ready to be treated as a criminal? 'Because we are ready to treat you as one if you commit a crime,' he warned. 4 Miller noted that Bass has 'no say' in federal immigration enforcement. Chris Kleponis – CNP / MEGA 4 Miller was one of several Trump administration officials who reacted strongly to Bass' statement on the ICE raids. Stephen Miller, /X Advertisement Justice Department official Harmeet K. Dhillon was stunned by Bass' understanding of the law. 'It's amazing the number of elected officials who don't grasp the basics of federalism, or federal sovereignty over immigration issues, or the First Amendment,' Dhillon tweeted. The Los Angeles immigration raids sparked protests at the arrest sites, and at least one person was taken into custody for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement. 'Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,' US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. 'He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday.' 'Let me be clear: I don't care who you are — if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted.' Huerta is president of the California branch of the influential Service Employees International Union. 4 The raids sparked protests in Los Angeles. AP Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin decried the city's response to protesters' clashes with federal agents – which escalated hours after the raids. Advertisement 'Assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings. 800 protestors have surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building in LA,' McLaughlin wrote on X. '@LAPD has not responded.' 'This violence against @ICEgov must stop.' Richard Grenell, President Trump's envoy for special missions, blamed Bass for the unrest. 'Karen Bass whipped all of this up. She attacked the rule of law. She undermined democracy,' Grenell wrote on X, sharing images of protesters attempting to block federal law enforcement vehicles. Advertisement 'The @MayorOfLA is creating chaos in LA,' he fumed. With Post wires

USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Boulder firebombing suspect charged with hate crime in federal court
Boulder firebombing suspect charged with hate crime in federal court Show Caption Hide Caption Authorities charged alleged Boulder attacker with attempted murder Authorities formally charged Mohamed Sabry Soliman with 118 criminal counts including dozens of attempted murder charges. The suspect in a Boulder, Colorado, attack on a gathering to support Israeli hostages in Gaza made an initial appearance on June 6 in federal court where he was formally charged with a hate crime. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is accused of targeting the group at a pedestrian mall with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower on June 1, according to a criminal complaint. He threw the makeshift firebombs at the Jewish demonstrators while he was shouting "Free Palestine," according to federal court filings detailing the suspected hate crime. Officials said 15 people between the ages of 25 and 88 were injured with burns. A judge ordered Soliman back in court on June 18 for a hearing where prosecutors will begin presenting evidence, according to court filings. Soliman appeared in court with an Arabic translator. Soliman, an Egyptian native who authorities said overstayed a tourist visa to the United States, also appeared in a state courtroom on June 5, where he was charged with another 118 criminal counts, including attempted murder, using explosive devices, attempting to use an incendiary device, assault on someone over the age of 70 and other charges. He's expected back in court for the state charges in July. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the attack was antisemitic. In a federal criminal complaint, authorities said Soliman admitted to investigators that "he wanted to kill all Zionist people" and wanted to stop them from taking over "our land," referring to Palestine. The federal hate crime charge could carry a sentence of up to life in prison if he is convicted. USA TODAY has reached out to Soliman's defense attorney for comment. 'We are better than this': Holocaust survivor burned in Boulder speaks after attack What happened in the Boulder attack? The attack happened the afternoon of June 1 at the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder. The group Run for Their Lives was holding a weekly demonstration advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants. Soliman, who told investigators he'd been planning the attack for a year, threw two lit Molotov cocktails into the crowd while yelling 'Free Palestine,' the federal criminal complaint said. When he was taken into custody, authorities found an additional 16 Molotov cocktails and a weed sprayer with gasoline. "As a result of these preliminary attacks, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism," Mark Michalek, special agent in charge at the FBI's Denver field office, said after the attack. The injured victims had burns that ranged from minor to serious. Three were still hospitalized, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said on June 5. Who is the suspect, Mohamed Soliman? Soliman, who lived in El Paso County, Colorado, has worked as an Uber driver and has five children. He told investigators that he waited for his daughter to graduate from high school before executing his planned attack, the criminal complaint said. Soliman entered the United States in August 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa that expired over two years ago, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. An affidavit said he was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years before moving to Colorado. McLaughlin said Soliman applied for asylum in September 2022. He tried to purchase a gun but opted to use the incendiary devices instead when he realized he couldn't buy a gun legally because of his citizenship status, according to the court records. He also said he learned how to make the Molotov cocktails online. Soliman told law enforcement he left an iPhone at the house, hidden in a desk drawer, with messages to his family. He also left behind a journal, the criminal complaint said. Family faces possible deportation Soliman's wife and five children were detained by immigration officials after his arrest and faced immediate deportation, Trump administration officials said. A federal judge temporarily blocked them from being deported on June 4. U.S. District Court Judge Gordon Gallagher said deporting the family without adequate process could cause "irreparable harm." FBI and police officials said the family has cooperated with investigators, and Soliman said his family had no knowledge of his plans. The visas of his wife and five children have been revoked, multiple media outlets including the New York Times reported. His daughter Habiba Soliman graduated from high school on May 29 and said she hoped to attend medical school. Her father told investigators he waited until after her graduation to carry out the attack.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Man accused of Boulder firebombing at pro-Israel event appears in court on federal hate crime charge
The suspect accused of injuring over a dozen people after throwing Molotov cocktails into a crowd of peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators last weekend appeared in federal court in Denver Friday to face a federal hate crime charge. Along with a federal hate crime charge, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, faces additional charges in Colorado, including attempted murder. Soliman allegedly crafted 18 Molotov cocktails before driving to Boulder June 1 and prepared for the peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators to arrive for the "Run For Their Lives," in support of the Israeli hostages. Soliman is accused of throwing two incendiary devices at the crowd. Soliman entered a courtroom Friday wearing a green jumpsuit and handcuffs. Boulder Suspect Spent A Year Planning Molotov Cocktail Attack On Pro-israel March: Docs While waiting for the hearing to start, Soliman silently rocked in his chair and looked around the room but away from the audience. Read On The Fox News App It began with Soliman being asked if he had read the complaint filed against him. After confirming that he had, Soliman was read his rights, and he asked for a court-appointed attorney. The court determined Soliman qualified for a court-appointed attorney. Mohamed Soliman Allegedly Planned Molotov Cocktail Attack After Gun Purchase Denial: Docs Prosecutor Melissa Hindman requested that Soliman be detained, and the defendant did not contest that request. Magistrate Judge Kathryn A. Starnella ordered Soliman be detained and set the next court date for 10 a.m. June 18. Victims and witnesses observed Soliman throw what appeared to be a glass bottle, which burst upon impact, creating large flames, an affidavit said. He also allegedly used a commercial weed sprayer as a "makeshift blowtorch." According to the affidavit, authorities discovered multiple glass bottles containing liquid, a lighter, rags, an insecticide sprayer and an AR-style rifle BB gun in Soliman's 2015 silver Toyota Prius. Boulder Terror Attack Witness Describes 'Horrific' Scene At Pro-israel Rally Authorities also found a Quran and paperwork with the words "Israel," "Palestine" and "USAID." In his interview with law enforcement, Soliman said he had no remorse for his actions and reiterated his intent to carry them out again if given the opportunity. The affidavit noted that Soliman left behind an iPhone and a journal at his Colorado Springs home, detailing his motivations and preparations for the attack. Facing a litany of charges, including multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of incendiary devices, Soliman had initially been held on $10 million bond. If convicted, and his sentences are ordered to run consecutively, he could face a maximum of 384 years in state prison for those charges alone. Soliman was also charged with two counts of use of an incendiary device, which could add up to 48 years if served consecutively. Fox News' Alexandra Rego and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this article source: Man accused of Boulder firebombing at pro-Israel event appears in court on federal hate crime charge