USA Arson attack on Jewish demonstration: perpetrator pleads guilty
After the deadly arson attack on a Jewish demonstration in the US state of Colorado, the suspect has pleaded guilty. In addition to murder, the charges include attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. The 46-year-old is now facing life imprisonment without the possibility of parole at state level. The sentence is due to be announced later on Thursday.
07.05.2026, 20:28
SDA
According to investigators, on June 1 last year the man threw two Molotov cocktails at demonstrators who wanted to draw attention to Israeli hostages who were still being held by the Islamist terror militia Hamas in the Gaza Strip at the time. Numerous people were injured in the attack. 82-year-old Karen Diamond later succumbed to her injuries.
In addition to the proceedings in the state of Colorado, separate federal hate crime proceedings are underway against the 46-year-old. According to his lawyers, the public prosecutor's office there is still considering whether to seek the death penalty.
Dispute over deportation of the family
According to investigators, the Egyptian-born man had been preparing the attack for some time and had other incendiary devices with him, but they were not used. According to the authorities, he was in the USA illegally. According to media reports, the suspect told police after his arrest that he had not told anyone about his plans.
A few days after the attack, the US immigration authorities ICE also took the suspect's then wife and five children into custody. Courts later stopped several planned deportations of the family. After around ten months in detention, they were finally released.
The 46-year-old did not comment on the allegations in the courtroom. Through two interpreters, he merely confirmed that he understood the charges and pleaded guilty.
