In a shocking incident that took place in 2022, a man named Hadi Matar attacked renowned author Salman Rushdie with a knife, leaving him blind in one eye. The attack occurred in front of a stunned audience, and Matar was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his actions. Matar, 27, did not deny assaulting Rushdie and even took the opportunity to insult the author further during his sentencing. He referred to Rushdie as a hypocrite and accused him of being a bully who disrespects others.
Despite the traumatic experience, Rushdie did not attend the sentencing in western New York. He submitted a victim impact statement expressing his nightmares about the attack. The trial revealed how Matar, wearing white-striped jail clothing and handcuffs, approached Rushdie from behind and stabbed him multiple times while he was being introduced at the Chautauqua Institution. The venue’s cameras captured the assault, showing Rushdie trying to defend himself as the audience gasped and screamed in horror.
The judge, David Foley, highlighted the severity of Matar’s actions, noting that the attack took place at a location known for promoting the free exchange of ideas. Matar was found guilty of attempted murder and assault, receiving a 25-year sentence for his crimes. Additionally, he was given a seven-year term for injuring a man who was on stage with Rushdie. Following the attack, Rushdie spent several weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation center, documenting his recovery in his memoir titled “Knife.” Matar’s attorney requested a shorter sentence citing his lack of a criminal record, while the prosecutor argued for the maximum penalty due to the extent of the damage caused by the attack.
Looking ahead, Matar faces a federal trial on terrorism-related charges, with prosecutors alleging that he was attempting to carry out a decades-old fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death. The fatwa was issued in 1989 by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the publication of Rushdie’s novel “The Satanic Verses.” Matar, a US citizen, believed the fatwa was endorsed by the militant group Hezbollah, leading him to target Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution. If convicted of the federal charges, Matar could face life in prison for his involvement in the attack.