2 months ago
Matar Convicted of Terrorism for 2022 Rushdie Stabbing
In 2022, a man named Hadi Matar attacked famous writer Salman Rushdie with a knife while he was speaking in New York.
The attack left Rushdie blind in one eye.
Matar was already in prison for trying to kill Rushdie.
In July 2026, a federal jury found him guilty of terrorism because he was following a fatwa that called for Rushdie’s death and was helping a terrorist group called Hezbollah.
He could face life in prison in addition to his current 25‑year sentence.
The attack happened at a place called the Chautauqua Institution, and the jury decided quickly, only two hours of deliberation.
Hadi Matar, 28, convicted on federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie.
Jury found him guilty of supporting Hezbollah, transnational terrorism, and providing material support to terrorists.
Matar spent over a year researching the 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death before the attack.
He is already serving a 25‑year state sentence; federal conviction could add life imprisonment, sentencing set for Nov. 3.
The attack occurred at the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, New York, where Rushdie was speaking; he was left blind in one eye.
- Who
- Hadi Matar, Salman Rushdie, US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo
- What
- Matar convicted on federal terrorism charges for stabbing Rushdie
- Where
- Chautauqua Institution, Mayville, New York; Federal court in Buffalo, New York
- When
- Attack: August 12, 2022; Conviction: July 29, 2026
- Why
- Motivated by a 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death and support for Hezbollah
Key facts
- Defendant
- Hadi Matar
- Charges
- Federal terrorism, supporting Hezbollah, transnational terrorism
- Current sentence
- 25 years in state prison
- Potential federal sentence
- Life imprisonment
- Conviction date
- July 29, 2026
- Attack date
- August 12, 2022
- Attack location
- Chautauqua Institution, Mayville, New York
Quotes
Salman Rushdie
Novelist
“A man who stabbed the author Salman Rushdie more than a dozen times was found guilty on Wednesday of aiding a foreign terrorist group and carrying out the orders of the Iranian government, which had called for the luminary's death more than three decades ago.”
freepressjournal.in
“"For the authoritarian, culture is the enemy. Whether that's journalism or universities or music or writing."”
deccanchronicle.com
US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York
“The Lebanese American 'chose to align his values with the terroristic values of the leaders of Iran'”
livemint.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Salman Rushdie's assailant convicted of terrorism charges: US Justice Department
Salman Rushdie Attacker Convicted On US Federal Terrorism Charges Over 2022 Stabbing
Salman Rushdie's attacker found guilty of terrorism in US federal court
Salman Rushdie Attacker Convicted of Terrorism Charges: US Justice Dept
Author Salman Rushdie's attacker found guilty in federal terrorism trial
Salman Rushdie attacker guilty of terrorism charges
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