Nearly three years after a shocking onstage attack that left him permanently injured, celebrated author Sir Salman Rushdie is set to confront his alleged assailant, Hadi Matar, as his trial begins in New York. The 77-year-old writer, who was stabbed multiple times during the 2022 incident, suffered blindness in one eye, severe nerve damage in one hand, and other lasting injuries. He is expected to take the stand and testify about the attack and its aftermath during the proceedings.
The brutal assault occurred on August 12, 2022, as Rushdie was preparing to speak at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, a venue known for hosting discussions on literature and free speech. Matar, a 27-year-old from New Jersey, rushed onto the stage, stabbing Rushdie more than a dozen times in the neck, stomach, chest, hand, and right eye before being tackled by audience members and security personnel. The attack was witnessed by a horrified crowd, including students and literary enthusiasts who had gathered to hear Rushdie's thoughts on protecting writers from harm.
Rushdie spent weeks in the hospital recovering from life-threatening injuries, undergoing multiple surgeries. The attack left him unable to see from his right eye and with permanent damage to one of his hands, making it difficult for him to write. He later chronicled his harrowing ordeal in his memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, which was published last year to critical acclaim.
Matar, who was immediately arrested at the scene, has been charged with attempted murder and assault. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is taking place in Mayville, a small town near the Canadian border. The jury selection was completed last week, and Matar has been present in court, taking notes and frequently consulting with his defense attorneys. The trial is expected to last between one and two weeks, with prosecutors presenting extensive evidence, including video footage, photographs, and witness testimonies. The event's moderator, Henry Reese, who was also injured in the attack, is likely to testify.
According to investigators, Matar had traveled to Chautauqua by bus and had spent the night before the attack on the retreat’s grounds. Prosecutors allege that he had planned the attack well in advance and was motivated by extremist ideology. His defense team has yet to outline their trial strategy, but legal analysts speculate that they may argue mental instability or attempt to challenge the extent of Matar’s direct knowledge and intent.
Beyond the state charges, Matar also faces separate federal charges, which could lead to an additional trial in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. These charges include terrorism transcending national boundaries, providing material support to terrorists, and attempting to aid a terrorist organization. Federal prosecutors claim that Matar was inspired by a religious edict, or fatwa, issued against Rushdie in 1989 by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The fatwa, which called for Rushdie’s death over the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses, led to years of threats against the author and forced him to live under police protection. Prosecutors argue that Matar believed the fatwa was reaffirmed in a 2006 speech by Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Matar’s trial has faced numerous delays, including an unsuccessful attempt by his legal team to move the venue. His defense attorneys had argued that he could not receive a fair trial in Chautauqua County due to the intense media coverage and the local community’s deep ties to the institution where the attack occurred. However, the judge ruled that the trial would proceed in its original jurisdiction.
If convicted of attempted murder, Matar faces up to 25 years in prison, while the additional federal charges could lead to an even lengthier sentence. The trial marks a pivotal moment in the case, as Rushdie prepares to relive the trauma of the attack in court. The proceedings are expected to draw significant media attention, with literary figures, free speech advocates, and human rights organizations closely following the outcome.
