The wife of accused assailant Mohamed Sabri Soliman, originally from Egypt and now living in Boulder, Colorado, has made a plea for support after a Texas judge extended his deportation proceedings. This development occurred as a U.S. District Court ruled that Soliman’s wife, Heyem El Gamal, and their five children, who were taken by federal officials, should seek judicial relief from a competent authority.
Soliman, aged 45, faces serious charges, including injuring multiple individuals by throwing Molotov cocktails into a gathering of peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators while shouting “Free Palestine.” After the incident, maternal and paternal figures like El Gamal and the kids were held, approximately two hours away in Colorado Springs.
A Colorado judge noted that because El Gamal and her children had been removed to Texas, any legal recourse would have to come from the appropriate jurisdiction. Judge Orlando Garcia from San Antonio has granted a two-week continuance on an order that initially prohibited the deportation of families.
In her first official statement, released through legal representation, El Gamal expressed her shock and grief regarding the incident. She emphasized the pain their family has endured, stating, “There is no justification for harming innocent individuals. We’ve cooperated with authorities.” Her message conveyed condolences to those affected by the events surrounding the attack.
El Gamal reflected on their ordeal in immigration detention, detailing the struggles of being separated from her children, ages 4, 7, 15, and her eldest son, who is 18. She lamented the treatment they faced while in custody, questioning why her family, especially her young child, should suffer for her husband’s actions.
Having emigrated to the U.S. three years ago, El Gamal claimed her family has made efforts to integrate, learning English and trying to contribute positively to their community. She expressed a commitment to being good neighbors, highlighting the importance of kindness over religious differences.
Interestingly, a few weeks prior to the attack, El Gamal had welcomed a Jewish neighbor with a thoughtful gesture—offering cupcakes as a friendly introduction, which has since created an unsettling contrast to the heinous act associated with her husband.
El Gamal’s desire, ultimately, is simple. “All I want is to build a good life for my kids,” she stated. She proudly mentioned her daughter’s volunteer work and academic achievements. However, the conditions they faced in detention, where she described a lack of privacy and adequate nourishment, have only added to her distress. El Gamal poignantly wrote, “Only mothers understand what we endure,” questioning how long they would remain in such a situation, fearing lasting harm for her children.
