Man convicted in terrorism trial over Salman Rushdie's stabbing
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Hadi Matar was convicted on federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, who was attacked due to a decades-old death threat linked to his novel “The Satanic Verses.”
- The jury found Matar guilty of all charges, including transnational terrorism, after just a few hours of deliberation; Matar is already serving a 25-year state sentence and faces potential life imprisonment federally.
- Prosecutors presented evidence that Matar was motivated by Iran’s 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death, supported by messages showing his intent to kill Rushdie as part of a jihad, though Iran denied involvement.
- Rushdie was severely injured in the attack, losing sight in one eye, and testified during the trial about the impact; Matar declined to testify, and his defense argued there was no proof of his state of mind.
- “The Satanic Verses” sparked global controversy and violence after its publication, leading to a fatwa that was never rescinded, with ongoing threats including a bounty on Rushdie’s life; Matar’s planning and support for Hezbollah were key elements in the prosecution’s case.
