Hadi Matar has been found guilty of attempted murder for attacking famous novelist Salman Rushdie during a public event in New York. This violent incident occurred in August 2022, where Matar rushed the stage as Rushdie was about to speak.
During the attack, Matar stabbed Rushdie multiple times, injuring his head, neck, and torso. The wounds left Rushdie partially blind in one eye and caused significant damage to his liver and intestines. He needed emergency surgery and underwent a long recovery process.
Jurors delivered their verdict after seven days of testimony, concluding that Matar was guilty of attempted murder and second-degree assault. This latter charge stemmed from Matar stabbing Henry Reese, the co-founder of a nonprofit that supports writers in exile who was also present during the event.
Matar faces a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years, with sentencing scheduled for April 23. After the verdict, Matar’s public defender, Nathaniel Barone, expressed that his client was unhappy with the outcome. Barone noted how the video evidence presented to the jury likely influenced their decision. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” he stated.
When being led away from the courtroom, Matar made a statement, “Free Palestine,” reflecting his views that have been consistent throughout the trial.
Salman Rushdie, who has faced death threats since the release of his novel “The Satanic Verses” in 1988, was attacked because Matar believed Rushdie had insulted Islam. Rushdie, who was born into a Muslim family in India but identifies as an atheist, has been a controversial figure since the book was deemed blasphemous by Iran’s then-leader, Ayatollah Khomeini.
Additionally, Matar has federal charges against him for attempting to murder Rushdie with intent to commit terrorism and for allegedly providing support to Hezbollah, a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S. This group supports Khomeini’s fatwa against Rushdie. Matar will face these federal charges in a separate trial in Buffalo.
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