Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie, faces multiple federal terrorism-related charges following an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. The indictment accuses Matar of providing material support to Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, and includes charges of committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists.
Matar, 26, was charged after allegedly attacking Rushdie during a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York on August 12, 2022. Rushdie was stabbed multiple times, resulting in severe injuries, including blindness in one eye. The attack has been linked to a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, which condemned Rushdie’s novel “The Satanic Verses” as blasphemous.
Matar, who holds dual U.S. and Lebanese citizenship, has pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree attempted murder and assault. He rejected a plea deal from state prosecutors that would have involved pleading guilty to a federal terrorism-related charge, choosing instead to face separate trials for the state and federal cases. His federal trial is set to proceed alongside the state trial, with jury selection for the state case scheduled for October 15.
Matar’s legal team, led by attorney Nathaniel Barone, has stated that Matar maintains his innocence on all charges and will exercise his constitutional rights fully in defense of his case. If convicted on the federal charges, Matar faces the possibility of life imprisonment.
The case has also raised questions about the adequacy of security measures for Rushdie, who has long been under threat due to the fatwa. The attack underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of individuals targeted by extremist ideologies.
Perspective 1 (Neutral, Factual):
This perspective focuses on the details of Hadi Matar’s legal charges, including both state and federal allegations. It covers Matar’s indictment on terrorism-related federal charges, the procedural aspects of his case, and the ongoing legal proceedings. It also includes details about the attack on Salman Rushdie and the broader context of the fatwa issued against him
Perspective 2 (Legal and Personal Context):
This perspective emphasizes the implications of the federal charges, Matar’s legal strategy, and his personal background. It notes Matar’s rejection of a plea deal and his not guilty plea to both state and federal charges. Additionally, it highlights Matar’s personal history, including his dual citizenship and changes in behavior after visiting Lebanon.
National Broadcasting Company:
Man who attacked author Salman Rushdie charged with supporting terrorist group
Cable News Network:
Man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie pleads not guilty to federal terrorism-related counts, lawyer says