Man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie convicted of ‘terrorism’ charges

Hadi Matar, the man who attacked author Salman Rushdie in 2022, has been found guilty of federal terrorism charges by a US court. Matar is already serving a 25-year prison sentence for the stabbing, which occurred during a speaking engagement in New York and left Rushdie partially blind. The jury convicted Matar on all charges, including attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization. Prosecutors argued that Matar was inspired by a 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie's death due to his novel "The Satanic Verses." This conviction could result in a life sentence for Matar.

Hadi Matar, 28, has been convicted of terror offenses for his attack on author Salman Rushdie. The conviction stems from an attempt to aid Hezbollah by carrying out the assault. During the trial, videos of Matar were presented, and Sir Salman testified about being stabbed 15 times, sustaining injuries to his eye which left him partially blinded, and to his cheek, chest, neck, and thigh. Rushdie stated the attacker's knife came "within millimetres from my brain." Matar's defense argued the attack was not terrorism-motivated, questioning Rushdie about potential backlash to his novel "The Satanic Verses." Matar is already serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder from a state court conviction in 2025 and could now face life imprisonment following this federal conviction.

Hadi Matar has been convicted on federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. A jury found Matar guilty of all charges, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. The attack occurred in August 2022 as Rushdie was about to speak on writers' safety. Prosecutors argued Matar was motivated by a 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against Rushdie due to his novel "The Satanic Verses." Matar is already serving a 25-year state prison sentence for attempted murder related to the stabbing, and the federal conviction carries a potential life sentence. Rushdie sustained 15 stab wounds and lost sight in his right eye.

Hadi Matar is on trial again, this time facing federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Prosecutors stated that Matar spent years researching Rushdie's whereabouts before the attack. This federal trial, which opened Wednesday, differs from a previous New York state attempted murder conviction by focusing on Matar's alleged motive. Prosecutors aim to convince jurors that Matar acted to fulfill a 1989 religious ruling, or fatwa, which called for Rushdie's death due to perceived blasphemy in his novel "The Satanic Verses."

Hadi Matar, who previously received a 25-year sentence for attempted murder, is now facing a federal terrorism trial in Buffalo, New York. The trial, which began Wednesday, centers on the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Prosecutors allege Matar provided material support to terrorists and committed transnational terrorism, potentially facing a life sentence if convicted. The case hinges on whether Matar acted in response to a 1989 fatwa against Rushdie and if he was acting in service of Hezbollah. Evidence presented includes Matar's research into carrying out an attack, propaganda videos, and correspondence with an Iran-based contact. Rushdie, who lost the use of one eye and suffered lasting damage, is expected to testify again.

Hadi Matar, already serving a prison sentence for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, is now facing a federal terrorism trial in Buffalo, New York. The trial will delve deeper into Matar's alleged motivations for the attack, which prosecutors claim were driven by loyalty to Iran's theocratic government and the Hezbollah militant group, stemming from a 1989 fatwa against Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses." Evidence presented by prosecutors includes Matar's electronic devices containing information on the fatwa, his research on Rushdie, and photos of Iranian leaders. Rushdie, who was partially blinded in the attack, is expected to testify. Matar has pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism, and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.