Terrorism trial begins for Salman Rushdie's attacker
The federal terrorism trial of Hadi Matar, the man convicted of attempting to murder author Salman Rushdie, opened in Buffalo, New York. Prosecutors allege Matar spent years planning the attack to fulfill a 1989 fatwa calling for Rushdie's death over his novel The Satanic Verses. Matar stabbed Rushdie on a lecture stage at the Chautauqua Institution in 2022, leaving him blind in one eye. This is Matar's second trial; he was previously found guilty of attempted murder in New York state court. Rushdie is expected to testify later this week. Defense attorney Nathaniel Barone urged jurors to keep an open mind.
Key facts
- Hadi Matar's federal terrorism trial opened in Buffalo, New York.
- Prosecutors say Matar spent years researching Rushdie's whereabouts.
- The attack occurred at the Chautauqua Institution in 2022.
- Rushdie was stabbed on a lecture stage and left blind in one eye.
- Matar was previously convicted of attempted murder in state court.
- The federal charges focus on Matar's alleged motive to fulfill a 1989 fatwa.
- The fatwa was issued by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini over The Satanic Verses.
- Rushdie is expected to testify later this week.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Chautauqua Institution
- AP
- Hezbollah
Locations
- Buffalo
- New York
- United States
- Chautauqua Institution
- Buffalo, N.Y.
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Mayville, N.Y.
- Park City, Utah
- New Jersey
- California
- India
- United Kingdom