A jury in the United States has found Hadi Matar, the man who stabbed renowned author Salman Rushdie, guilty of attempted second-degree murder and assault in the second degree. The verdict comes after a trial that followed the brutal attack on Rushdie during a literary conference in New York in August 2022. Matar, a 27-year-old resident of Fairview, New Jersey, had pleaded not guilty to the charges brought by the Chautauqua County Prosecutor.
The attack, which Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt described as a “premeditated” act, left Rushdie with up to 15 stab wounds. Rushdie, the British writer of Indian origin, took the stand last week to recount the “shock” he felt when Matar, dressed in black, approached him with a knife on stage. In contrast, Matar, who faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, chose not to testify throughout the trial. The sentencing is scheduled for April 23, according to NBC News.
Background of the Attack
The attack on Rushdie was not an isolated event; it has roots in a long-standing ‘fatwa’ issued by the then Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. Although the Iranian government eventually distanced itself from this decree, the sentiment behind it lingered. In 2012, an Iranian semi-official religious foundation increased the bounty on Rushdie’s head from $2.8 million to $3.3 million, underscoring the enduring nature of the threat against him.
Implications and Aftermath
The guilty verdict brings a measure of justice to Rushdie, who has lived under the shadow of the ‘fatwa’ for decades. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authors, journalists, and public figures who become targets due to their work. The attack on Rushdie serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting free speech and the safety of those who exercise it, even in the face of vehement opposition or violence. As the world awaits the sentencing, there’s a broader conversation to be had about the limits of free speech, the impact of religious decrees on global communities, and the responsibility of nations in protecting individuals from such threats.
