Man who attacked author Salman Rushdie is sentenced to 25 years in prison

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 2:57 pm

Man Who Attacked Salman Rushdie Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Hadi Matar, the man responsible for the brutal stabbing attack on author Salman Rushdie in 2022, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The sentence, handed down on Friday, is the maximum allowed for attempted murder. The attack occurred at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state, where Matar, then 24, stormed the stage and repeatedly stabbed Rushdie in the face, neck, arm, abdomen, and eye.

The assault left Rushdie, now 77, with lasting injuries, including partial blindness and permanent nerve damage. Matar was convicted in February of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault for injuring the event's moderator. The assault on the moderator added an additional 7 years to the sentence, but will be served concurrently.

Prosecutors argued the attack was premeditated, targeting Rushdie due to his controversial novel, "The Satanic Verses," published in 1988. The book sparked outrage in the Muslim world, and a fatwa (religious decree) calling for Rushdie's death was issued by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989. While Matar has not explicitly cited the fatwa as his motivation, he has expressed dislike for Rushdie.

Matar also faces separate federal terrorism charges, including providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to kill a U.S. citizen. If convicted on these charges, he could face life in prison. A trial date for the federal charges has not yet been set. Rushdie, a celebrated author, has written numerous books, including "Midnight's Children" and a memoir about the attack, "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder."

BNN's Perspective: The sentencing of Hadi Matar is a significant step in holding him accountable for his violent actions. While the severity of the attack and the lasting impact on Rushdie are undeniable, the ongoing federal terrorism charges highlight the complex motivations and potential international implications of this case. It's crucial to balance the need for justice with a commitment to freedom of expression and the safety of individuals targeted for their work.

Keywords: Salman Rushdie, Hadi Matar, stabbing, attack, sentence, prison, attempted murder, Chautauqua Institution, The Satanic Verses, Ayatollah Khomeini, fatwa, terrorism charges, federal charges, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, New York, author, novelist, freedom of speech, violence, crime, trial, conviction

Full Story