Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Salman Rushdie Testifies in Knife Attacker's US Terror Trial
Salman Rushdie, a famous writer, was attacked with a knife in 2022 by a man named Hadi Matar.
The attack happened in New York and left Rushdie with serious injuries, including losing sight in one eye.
Matar was already sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder.
Now, he is being tried in a federal court for terrorism charges.
Prosecutors say Matar was motivated by a fatwa, which is like a religious order, issued by a leader in Iran many years ago because of a book Rushdie wrote.
They also say Matar supported a group called Hezbollah, which the US considers a terrorist group.
Matar's lawyers say he acted alone and was not part of any terrorist organization.
If found guilty, Matar could get life in prison.
Salman Rushdie testified in the federal trial of Hadi Matar, who attacked him with a knife in 2022.
Matar was previously sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempted murder and is now facing terrorism charges.
Prosecutors allege Matar was motivated by a 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini and supported Hezbollah.
Matar's defense claims he acted alone and was not affiliated with any terrorist organization.
If convicted, Matar faces a possible sentence of life in prison.
- Who
- Salman Rushdie and Hadi Matar
- What
- Testimony in a federal terrorism trial following a knife attack
- When
- 2024 (current trial), 2022 (attack), 1989 (fatwa)
- Where
- Federal court in Buffalo, New York
- Why
- To determine if Hadi Matar's attack was motivated by terrorism and a fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie
Prosecution
Defense
Motivation for the Attack
Prosecution
Prosecutors allege that Hadi Matar was motivated by a fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 and supported Hezbollah, a terrorist group according to the US.
Defense
Matar's defense lawyers claim he acted alone and was not affiliated with any terrorist organization, though he was angry about the content of 'The Satanic Verses'.
- Victim
- Salman Rushdie
- Attacker
- Hadi Matar
- Date of Attack
- 2022
- Location of Attack
- New York cultural center
- Sentence for Attempted Murder
- 25 years in prison
- Current Trial Location
- Federal court in Buffalo, New York
- Potential Sentence for Terrorism Charges
- Life in prison
- Fatwa Issuer
- Ayatollah Khomeini
- Year of Fatwa
- 1989
- Book Involved
- The Satanic Verses