Man convicted of stabbing Salman Rushdie sentenced to 25 years in prison
The sentencing of Hadi Matar, the man convicted of stabbing Salman Rushdie during a lecture in New York in 2022, has brought closure to a harrowing chapter in the acclaimed author’s life. Matar, 27, was found guilty of attempted murder and assault in February, and on Friday, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his violent actions.
The incident, which left Rushdie blind in one eye, unfolded on a lecture stage at the Chautauqua Institution. Rushdie, a prizewinning author known for works such as “Midnight’s Children” and “The Satanic Verses,” described the terrifying attack during the trial. He recounted how he believed he was facing death as a masked assailant repeatedly stabbed him with a knife.
Although Rushdie did not attend Matar’s sentencing, he submitted a victim impact statement detailing the physical and emotional toll of the assault. The author spent weeks in a hospital and rehabilitation center, chronicling his challenging recovery in a memoir titled “Knife.”
During the sentencing, Matar made a statement about freedom of speech, calling Rushdie a hypocrite. Despite his defense’s arguments, Matar received the maximum 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Rushdie and an additional seven years for injuring another individual on stage.
District Attorney Jason Schmidt emphasized the severity of Matar’s actions, stating that the attacker had orchestrated the assault to inflict maximum harm not only on Rushdie but also on the audience present at the event. While Matar’s defense highlighted his clean criminal record, the judge ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s recommendation for a lengthy prison term.
Matar’s next legal battle will involve federal terrorism-related charges, shedding light on the complex motives behind the attack. Prosecutors revealed that Matar believed he was carrying out a decades-old fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death, stemming from the publication of “The Satanic Verses.” The fatwa, issued by Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, sparked international controversy and forced Rushdie into hiding for years.
Video evidence presented at the trial captured the chilling moment when Matar approached Rushdie from behind and launched a frenzied attack. Jurors swiftly reached a guilty verdict after witnessing the disturbing footage, underscoring the gravity of Matar’s crimes.
As Rushdie continues to heal from the physical and emotional scars of the assault, Matar’s sentencing marks a milestone in the pursuit of justice for the celebrated author. The resolution of this case serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of upholding freedom of expression and combating acts of violence against individuals who dare to share their voices with the world.
