Rushdie Testifies in Court Against Man Accused of His Stabbing
Rushdie testified in court against his alleged attacker in a terrorism trial.
Event / Conflict
Hadi Matar Terrorism Trial
Federal terrorism trial of Hadi Matar for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Prosecutors allege the attack was motivated by a 1989 Iranian fatwa over Rushdie's novel 'The Satanic Verses' and influenced by Hezbollah rhetoric. Matar faces transnational terrorism charges and potential life sentence.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Jul, 03:28 UTC
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What happened
Prosecutors allege Iran-linked motivation in Rushdie attack
Federal prosecutors claim Hadi Matar was motivated by a 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini calling for Salman Rushdie's death. Prosecutors argue Matar was also influenced by comments made in 2006 by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah about Rushdie and the fatwa. Evidence presented includes material showing Matar's regard for Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and a fake driver's license with a name similar to a Hezbollah figure.
Hadi Matar charged with transnational terrorism in Rushdie stabbing
Hadi Matar, 28, faces federal charges including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism in connection with the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie. Matar has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and is currently serving a 25-year state prison sentence for attempted murder. He faces a potential life sentence if convicted in the federal terrorism case.
1989 Iranian fatwa against Salman Rushdie remains relevant in terrorism case
Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989 calling for Salman Rushdie's death over his novel 'The Satanic Verses,' which contains a dream sequence about Islam's Prophet Muhammad that some Muslims considered blasphemous. The fatwa motivated widespread protests and drove Rushdie into hiding for years. Federal prosecutors claim this 1989 fatwa remains central to understanding Matar's alleged motive in the 2022 stabbing.
Matar reportedly researched Rushdie beginning in 2020
According to federal prosecutors, Hadi Matar began researching Salman Rushdie in 2020 and eventually wrote to himself 'We need to kill him ASAP.' Prosecutors say Matar cast the killing as part of a jihad or holy war. A 2018 trip to Lebanon, where Matar's mother has citizenship and where Hezbollah is based, allegedly left him moody and withdrawn.
Iran government denies involvement in Rushdie stabbing
Iran's government denied involvement in the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson suggested at the time that Rushdie had invited trouble by insulting Islam. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah did not comment on the attack.
Salman Rushdie testifies at terrorism trial of his attacker
Author Salman Rushdie testified in Buffalo federal court against Hadi Matar, who is accused of stabbing him in 2022. Rushdie described the attack during which he was stabbed multiple times, resulting in blindness in one eye, liver damage, and severed nerves in his arm. The attack occurred at a cultural institution where Rushdie was scheduled to speak about threats to writers and artists.
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2 alternative perspectives
Prosecutors Detail Iran Connection Allegations in Rushdie Attack Case
Prosecutors allege Iran-linked motivation in Rushdie stabbing; Iran denies involvement.