New York – A jury in western New York has convicted Hadi Matar, 27, of attempted murder for the 2022 stabbing of Indian-born British author Salman Rushdie, The New York Times reported. Matar was also found guilty of assault for injuring Ralph Henry Reese, a co-founder of a writers’ refuge program.
⚖️ Verdict Details:
- Attempted Murder Conviction: For stabbing Rushdie.
- Assault Conviction: For injuring Reese during the attack.
- Sentencing Date: April 23; Matar faces up to 32 years in prison plus federal terrorism-related charges.
🗡️ Details of the 2022 Attack:
The attack occurred on August 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was scheduled to speak. Moments before his lecture:
- Matar, dressed in dark clothing and a face mask, rushed the stage.
- Rushdie was stabbed multiple times, suffering:
- 3 neck wounds
- 4 stomach wounds
- Punctures to his right eye (resulting in blindness) and chest
- A cut on his right thigh
- Rushdie underwent emergency surgery and sustained a damaged liver and severed nerves in his arm and eye.
Rushdie recalled the harrowing experience, describing the attacker’s “dark, ferocious eyes” and initially believing he was being punched until he noticed “a very large quantity of blood pouring out” of his clothes.
💬 Matar’s Motivation:
Matar, during earlier interviews:
- Expressed respect for the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who had issued a fatwa against Rushdie in 1989 over The Satanic Verses.
- Claimed to have read “like two pages” of Rushdie’s novel.
- Admitted to being surprised that Rushdie survived the attack.
📚 Background on the Fatwa:
- Rushdie’s 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, sparked global controversy among some Muslim communities, who deemed it blasphemous.
- Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa called for Rushdie’s assassination.
- Rushdie spent nearly a decade under British protection following the threats.
🚨 Looking Ahead:
Matar’s April 23 sentencing could see him imprisoned for over three decades. Meanwhile, Rushdie continues to recover, demonstrating resilience despite life-altering injuries.