Hadi Matar Sentenced to 25 Years for Stabbing Salman Rushdie
A U.S. court sentenced Hadi Matar to 25 years in prison on Friday for the attempted murder of acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, who he stabbed in August 2022. Matar was found guilty in February of this year, with the sentencing phase concluding earlier this week.
The attack occurred during a literary conference in Chautauqua, New York, where Rushdie was giving a public speech. Prosecutors revealed that Matar acted under the influence of a fatwa - a death sentence - issued by Iranian religious authorities in 1989 in response to Rushdie's controversial novel, 'The Satanic Verses.' The repercussions of his actions left Rushdie without vision in his right eye and impaired use of his left hand.
Matar, 27, hailing from New Jersey, also faced additional charges for injuring Henry Reese, the man who was interviewing Rushdie at the time of the attack. For this attack, Matar received a concurrent sentence of seven years.
Beyond this state-level sentencing, Matar's legal troubles are far from over. In June 2024, he is slated to appear in a federal trial, facing charges related to terrorism and alleged collaboration with Hezbollah, the Lebanese paramilitary group.
The case has drawn international attention, not only due to the violent act itself but also because it raises questions about freedom of expression, the impact of extremist ideologies, and the enduring legacy of the controversies surrounding Rushdie’s work.
Related Sources: