Conviction in 2022 Stabbing of Salman Rushdie

A jury convicted Hadi Matar of federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. The attack took place on an amphitheater stage where Rushdie was to speak on writers’ safety. Matar faced charges, including transnational terrorism, resulting from the influence of a long-standing death threat over Rushdie’s novel “The Satanic Verses.” Rushdie suffered severe injuries and lost sight in one eye.

Matar’s motivation stemmed from a 1989 decree by the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, demanding Rushdie’s death for the novel. The jury reached a verdict after only a few hours. Meanwhile, Iran denied involvement in the attack.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg commented, “His brutal attack on Mr. Rushdie during a peaceful event is a chilling reminder of Iranian terrorism’s global reach.” He emphasized that justice was served.

During the trial, Matar’s defense argued that there was no evidence of his mental state. Matar did not testify, but Rushdie did, explaining that he couldn’t determine Matar’s aims, but the attack left him wounded.

Matar, 28, is presently serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder in New York. His federal sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 3. He faces a potential life term.

Rushdie, a Booker Prize winner for “Midnight’s Children,” saw the controversy arise from “The Satanic Verses,” which depicted Islam in a way that sparked global protests. Despite a 1998 distancing by Iran from the original fatwa, threats persisted over the years.

Matar’s communications leading up to the attack revealed his intent to fulfill the fatwa. Prosecutors noted that Matar had engaged in messaging that underscored his animosity towards Rushdie. Evidence included discussions about executing Rushdie and support for Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo highlighted that Matar spent months planning the attack as part of what he saw as a jihad. Surveillance showed he tracked Rushdie’s whereabouts, ultimately choosing the August 2022 Chautauqua Institution event to act.

On the event day, as Rushdie was introduced, Matar struck, leading to his arrest after bystanders intervened. Rushdie has since published a memoir about the experience and returned to fiction writing. He received recognition, including a Dayton Literary Peace Prize lifetime achievement award.