A man accused of stabbing renowned British-Indian author Sir Salman Rushdie has been found guilty of attempted murder and assault. Hadi Matar, 27, from New Jersey, was convicted by a jury in Chautauqua County Court, New York, where the attack occurred in August 2022 as Rushdie delivered a lecture.
- Hadi Matar found guilty of attempted murder.
- Salman Rushdie suffered severe injuries.
- Attack occurred during a public lecture.
- Jury verdict reached after two-week trial.
- Matar faces over 30 years in prison.
- Rushdie initially thought he was punched.
The attack on Sir Salman Rushdie took place on August 12, 2022, while he was speaking at an event in Chautauqua, New York. Matar stabbed him multiple times before being subdued by audience members. The jury’s decision came after a two-week trial that revealed the extent of Rushdie’s injuries.
During the incident, Sir Salman initially believed he had been punched before realizing he had sustained stab wounds to his neck and jaw. In total, he was stabbed 15 times with injuries affecting various parts of his body:
- Eye
- Cheek
- Back
- Chest
- Torso
- Thigh
The conviction carries a potential sentence exceeding 30 years in prison for Matar. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding violence against authors and freedom of expression globally.
This verdict marks a significant moment in addressing violent attacks against writers and underscores the importance of protecting literary figures worldwide from harm.
