Jury Convicts Hadi Matar for Stabbing Salman Rushdie on Stage \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A jury convicted Hadi Matar of attempted murder for stabbing Salman Rushdie on a New York lecture stage in 2022. Matar, 27, also faces federal terrorism-related charges, with a separate trial set for Buffalo. Rushdie, who was stabbed over a dozen times, testified about his injuries and recovery. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, with Matar facing up to 25 years in prison.
Salman Rushdie Stabbing: Quick Looks
- Guilty Verdict: Hadi Matar convicted of attempted murder and assault in Rushdie attack.
- Brutal Attack: Rushdie was stabbed over a dozen times, leaving him blind in one eye.
- Jury Decision: Jurors deliberated for under two hours before reaching a verdict.
- Sentencing Date: Matar faces up to 25 years in prison, sentencing set for April 23.
- Federal Case Pending: Matar also faces terrorism-related charges in federal court.
- Defense Claims Overcharging: Matar’s lawyers argue the case was inflated due to Rushdie’s fame.
- Hezbollah Connection: Prosecutors cite a 2006 Hezbollah speech supporting the 1989 Iranian fatwa against Rushdie.
Deep Look
A New Jersey man accused of attempting to murder acclaimed author Salman Rushdie was convicted Friday in a New York courtroom, more than a year after the violent onstage attack that left the novelist blind in one eye.
Hadi Matar, 27, was found guilty of attempted murder and assault following a swift jury deliberation that lasted less than two hours. Prosecutors had presented graphic video evidence and Rushdie’s own testimony detailing the harrowing August 12, 2022 attack at the Chautauqua Institution, where the author was preparing to speak about protecting writers from persecution.
Matar stormed the stage, stabbing Rushdie more than a dozen times before being subdued by bystanders. The attack reignited global discussion about the decades-old fatwa issued against Rushdie following the publication of The Satanic Verses.
Jury Deliberation and Guilty Verdict
During the seven-day trial, jurors reviewed multiple angles of video footage showing Matar rushing from the audience, climbing onto the stage, and launching into a frenzied stabbing attack on Rushdie.
Prosecutor Jason Schmidt argued that Matar’s intent was clear, stating:
“If you stab someone 10 or 15 times in the face and neck, it’s foreseeable that it could be fatal.”
Defense attorneys countered that prosecutors had not proven Matar intended to kill Rushdie, a critical distinction for attempted murder charges. They noted that Matar carried knives rather than a firearm or explosives and emphasized that Rushdie’s heart and lungs remained unharmed.
However, video evidence and Rushdie’s own testimony left little room for doubt. The jury quickly delivered a guilty verdict.
Matar, who had often appeared relaxed during the trial, showed no visible reaction as the decision was read. While being led from the courtroom in handcuffs, he quietly said, “Free Palestine,” echoing comments he had made throughout the proceedings.
Rushdie’s Testimony and Recovery
The 77-year-old Booker Prize-winning author was the prosecution’s star witness, delivering gripping testimony about the attack, his injuries, and the long road to recovery.
Rushdie, who had undergone emergency surgery and spent weeks in the hospital, removed his darkened glasses in court to show jurors his blinded right eye. He described his near-death experience and the psychological toll of the assault.
A trauma surgeon who treated Rushdie testified that his injuries would have been fatal without immediate medical intervention.
Prosecutors also played slowed-down footage of the attack, showing Matar striking Rushdie repeatedly while audience members screamed in horror. One frame, frozen for emphasis, showed Rushdie flailing on the ground, his hands and face covered in blood.
“We’ve shown you intent,” Schmidt told jurors.
Henry Reese, co-founder of City of Asylum Pittsburgh and the event’s moderator, also took the stand. Reese suffered a forehead gash during the attack, which led to Matar’s additional assault conviction.
Defense Claims Trial Was Influenced by Rushdie’s Fame
Matar’s attorney, Nathaniel Barone, argued that his client was unfairly overcharged due to Rushdie’s high profile.
“The notoriety of Mr. Rushdie certainly didn’t help in how this case was presented,” Barone said after the verdict.
He also criticized New York officials, particularly Mayor Eric Adams, for allegedly turning Matar’s transfer to New York into a media spectacle.
Matar’s defense team chose not to call any witnesses, and Matar himself did not testify.
Possible 25-Year Sentence and Federal Charges
Judge David Foley scheduled sentencing for April 23, where Matar faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for attempted murder in the second degree.
Beyond his state conviction, Matar also faces a separate federal trial on terrorism-related charges in Buffalo. Prosecutors allege that his attack was inspired by a 2006 speech from Hezbollah endorsing the fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.
Matar, a U.S. citizen of Lebanese descent, reportedly accessed pro-Hezbollah materials in the months leading up to the attack.
The Fatwa and Rushdie’s Years in Hiding
Rushdie’s 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, was met with outrage in parts of the Muslim world, as some considered it blasphemous. Khomeini’s fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death forced the author into hiding for nearly a decade.
Although Iran later stated it would not enforce the fatwa, hardline factions continued to endorse it, with a bounty placed on Rushdie’s life. The attack reignited concerns over lingering threats against Rushdie and others accused of apostasy or blasphemy.
For more than 25 years, Rushdie had traveled without incident—until the 2022 attack.
Public and Corporate Reactions to the Verdict
The conviction has been met with widespread support from literary and human rights organizations. PEN America, which has long advocated for Rushdie’s safety, hailed the verdict as a victory for free speech.
The Chautauqua Institution, where the attack occurred, announced new security measures for future speakers, acknowledging that threats against high-profile authors remain a concern.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hezbollah officials have denied involvement, though some pro-Hezbollah figures have praised Matar’s actions online.
What’s Next?
With the state trial concluded, attention now shifts to the federal case, which will further examine Matar’s motivations and any potential extremist affiliations.
For Rushdie, the attack became a defining chapter in his life, chronicled in his 2024 memoir, Knife. Despite his injuries, he has remained vocal about the importance of artistic freedom.
“The attempt on my life was meant to silence me,” Rushdie wrote. “But silence is not an option.”
As Matar awaits sentencing and the federal proceedings, his case serves as a stark reminder that the threats stemming from The Satanic Verses controversy are far from over.
Jury Convicts Hadi Jury Convicts Hadi
You must Register or Login to post a comment.