Rushdie Recounts Near-Fatal Attack

Author Salman Rushdie recounted the near-fatal stabbing that occurred four years ago during a federal terrorism trial. Testifying for a second time, Rushdie described the ambush at a New York amphitheater, detailing how he felt a blow and then realized blood was flowing from his neck, vividly recalling, "I was on the stage, lying down, with an enormous pool of blood all around me." He also presented his now-sightless right eye to the jury.

The 79-year-old writer, who was attacked 15 times, detailed the extensive injuries sustained, including damage to his liver and paralysis of his left hand. The incident occurred at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was scheduled to speak about threats to writers. His attacker, Hadi Matar, faces federal charges including transnational terrorism, with prosecutors linking the assault to a 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses."

Matar, who has pleaded not guilty and is already serving a 25-year state sentence for attempted murder, has had his defense argue that intent is difficult to prove. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Matar researched Rushdie and expressed a desire to kill him, allegedly motivated by allegiance to Iran and Hezbollah. The defense has questioned the strength of the evidence linking Matar's mindset to the fatwa or terrorist groups at the time of the August 12, 2022, attack.