Federal judge rules family of Boulder terror suspect can be deported

The family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the man accused of carrying out a firebomb attack on peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, can be deported, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

According to The New York Post, US District Court Judge Orlando Garcia dismissed the Soliman family’s legal attempt to block their removal from the United States, stating that the Trump administration followed proper legal procedures in initiating deportation proceedings. Soliman’s wife and five children had filed a lawsuit to stop the expedited removal process, but Judge Garcia said he “lacks jurisdiction to grant Petitioners the relief they seek.”

The ruling overturns a prior decision from Biden-appointed Judge Gordon Gallagher, who temporarily stopped the deportation last month.

The legal drama follows a shocking terror attack on June 1, in which Soliman allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails and sprayed homemade flamethrowers at elderly demonstrators participating in a "Run for Their Lives" event advocating to free Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The attack injured 29 people, including eight who were hospitalized with burns. One of those victims, 82-year-old Karen Diamond, succumbed to her injuries earlier this week.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said, “This horrific act of terror has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends. Our office will fight for justice for all the victims, their loved ones, and the community.”

Following Diamond’s death, prosecutors formally upgraded two of Soliman’s charges from attempted murder to first-degree murder. In total, he now faces:

• 2 counts of first-degree murder

• 52 counts of attempted first-degree murder

• 8 counts of first-degree assault

• 18 counts of attempted first-degree assault

• 2 counts of third-degree assault

• 2 counts of using an incendiary device

• 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary device

• 1 count of animal cruelty

If convicted of first-degree murder, Soliman faces a mandatory sentence of life without parole. Federal prosecutors have also filed a 12-count indictment against the 45-year-old Egyptian national, including nine federal hate crime violations and three counts related to the use of fire or explosives during a felony. The indictment alleges Soliman intentionally targeted the demonstration because it supported Israeli hostages.

According to court documents, Soliman arrived at the Boulder County Courthouse with at least 18 Molotov cocktails and a backpack sprayer filled with flammable liquid. Video footage from the attack shows him screaming “Free Palestine!” and “Death to Zionists!” as he launched his assault. Witnesses reported him shouting phrases such as, “How many children you killed,” “We have to end Zionists,” and “They are killers.” Soliman was arrested at the scene of the attack.

Investigators later recovered a handwritten manifesto from Soliman’s vehicle, in which he called Israel a “cancer entity” and wrote, “Zionism is our enemies until Jerusalem is liberated and they are expelled from our land.”

Soliman reportedly told investigators he had searched online for pro-Israel events and targeted the June 1 rally after recognizing Israeli flags. “I decide[d] to take my revenge from these people,” police said he confessed during interrogation.

Soliman entered the United States legally on a tourist visa on August 27, 2022, through Los Angeles International Airport. Although the visa expired in February 2023, he remained in the country unlawfully. Despite his status, the Biden administration granted him work authorization on March 29, 2023, valid through March 2025.

Following the attack, his wife and five children were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The family’s deportation is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, pending any appeals.