****

A man accused of assaulting a group raising awareness about Israeli hostages in Gaza using a homemade flame-thrower and an incendiary device has been charged with a federal hate crime. According to the FBI, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, confessed to planning the attack for a year and specifically targeted the organization, which he referred to as the "Zionist group."

The attack, which took place in Colorado, left twelve individuals injured, some with burns, as the group was concluding its weekly demonstration. Witnesses reported that Soliman shouted "Free Palestine" during the assault. Following his arrest, Soliman admitted to the charges and stated he would commit the act again, according to an FBI affidavit released in support of the federal hate crime charge filed by the Justice Department.

Soliman, who previously lived in Egypt before moving to Kuwait for an accounting job, had expressed support for the Muslim Brotherhood on his Facebook page. The now-deactivated account, last updated a decade ago, featured photos of Mohamed Morsi, the former Egyptian president and Muslim Brotherhood leader. Soliman had also shown support for protests against Morsi's ousting in 2013, including a post featuring a symbolic four-finger salute associated with the Rabaa al-Adawiya Square protests.

The incident occurred at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. It also follows a recent incident in Washington where a man, reportedly shouting "Free Palestine," was charged with killing two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish museum.

Both federal and state prosecutors have filed cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. Soliman faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices used in the attack. Further federal charges may be forthcoming as the Justice Department seeks a grand jury indictment.

During his initial state court hearing, Soliman appeared briefly via video link from Boulder County Jail, clad in an orange jumpsuit. The legal proceedings continue as the community and legal experts closely watch the developments of this disturbing case.