Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Boulder Family After Firebombing Incident

Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Boulder Family After Firebombing Incident

A federal judge has blocked the deportation of a family in Boulder, Colorado, following a firebombing attack on Sunday.

Incident Overview

  • Suspect: Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45
  • Allegations: Accused of throwing two Molotov cocktails at a group demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
  • Statements: During the incident, Soliman allegedly yelled "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is great" in Arabic.

Legal Proceedings

  • Charges: Soliman has been charged with:

    • Attempted first-degree arson (a Class 3 felony)
    • Second-degree assault (a Class 4 felony)
  • Arrest: He was arrested later that day while attempting to leave through another door at City Hall, where he has worked as an IT specialist for several years.

Judge’s Ruling

U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore issued an order blocking the family’s deportation until further notice. Key points from the ruling include:

  • Concerns for Children: The judge cited potential harm to Soliman’s children if they were sent back to Egypt.
  • Citizenship: Soliman’s wife and three children are U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization.
  • Irreparable Harm: Deporting them would cause irreparable harm due to their young ages and lack of ties to Egypt.
  • Retaliation Risks: The judge expressed concerns about potential retaliation against Soliman’s family if deported after their involvement in an anti-Israel protest.

Next Steps

  • Legal Representation: Soliman’s lawyer stated she had no comment on whether her client would plead guilty or not guilty when he appears before Magistrate Judge Michael Hegarty next week.
  • Prosecutorial Decisions: Although charges have been filed under state law, federal charges have not been pursued despite earlier indications from prosecutors.
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