Trial Begins for Man Accused of Stabbing Novelist Salman Rushdie

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The trial of Hadi Matar, who is charged with attempting to murder novelist Salman Rushdie, commenced on February 4, 2025, with jury selection at the Chautauqua County Court in Mayville, New York. Matar, 26, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree attempted murder and assault following the August 2022 attack at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was stabbed multiple times, resulting in the loss of his right eye and damage to his liver.

Rushdie, 77, has faced death threats since the 1988 release of his book "The Satanic Verses," which was condemned by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Matar reportedly traveled from New Jersey to the event to confront Rushdie, claiming the novelist had “attacked Islam.” Federal charges against Matar include terrorism-related offenses and providing support to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, both of which Matar also denies.

The case has drawn international attention, with prosecutors arguing that the attack was premeditated and influenced by the historical fatwa against Rushdie. Rushdie is expected to testify, recounting the attack in detail as described in his memoir, "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder."

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