The man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie on stage has been sentenced to 25 years in prison

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 3:13 pm

Salman Rushdie Attacker Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

In a case that shocked the literary world, Hadi Matar, the man who attacked author Salman Rushdie in 2022, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The sentencing, handed down on Friday, follows Matar's conviction on charges of attempted murder and assault. The attack occurred at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, where Rushdie was preparing to speak.

The 77-year-old author, who lost sight in one eye due to the attack, submitted a victim impact statement but did not attend the sentencing. Matar, 27, addressed the court, criticizing Rushdie and accusing him of hypocrisy regarding freedom of speech. He received the maximum sentence for the attempted murder of Rushdie and a concurrent seven-year sentence for wounding a man who was on stage with the author.

Prosecutors emphasized the premeditated nature of the attack, highlighting Matar's intent to inflict maximum damage. Matar's public defender argued for a lesser sentence, citing his client's previously clean record and the intense media scrutiny surrounding the case.

The attack on Rushdie was linked to a decades-old fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini following the publication of Rushdie's novel, *The Satanic Verses*. Authorities believe Matar, a U.S. citizen, was attempting to carry out this edict. Matar is also facing a federal trial on terrorism-related charges, which is expected to delve into his motive.

BNN's Perspective: While the attack on Salman Rushdie was a horrific act of violence, the severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and the potential for this act to incite further violence. The focus on the attacker's motive in the upcoming federal trial is crucial to understanding the broader context of this event and preventing similar incidents.

Keywords: Salman Rushdie, Hadi Matar, sentencing, prison, attempted murder, assault, Chautauqua Institution, New York, fatwa, The Satanic Verses, freedom of speech, terrorism, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, author, attack, knife, trial, conviction, victim impact statement, Hezbollah.

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