Man charged with stabbing Salman Rushdie declines plea deal involving terrorism charge

In a recent development, the man accused of stabbing renowned author Salman Rushdie has declined a plea deal that would have reduced his state prison sentence but implicated him in a federal terrorism-related charge. Hadi Matar, 26, who allegedly attacked Rushdie during a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, rejected the agreement in Mayville, New York. The deal would have seen Matar plead guilty to attempted murder in Chautauqua County, resulting in a 20-year state prison term instead of 25 years, along with admitting guilt to a federal charge of supporting a designated terrorist group, potentially adding another 20 years to his sentence. Rushdie, known for his novel "The Satanic Verses," which sparked controversy and a fatwa against him in 1989, had been in hiding for years before resuming public life in the late 1990s. Matar, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Lebanon, had reportedly exhibited changes in behavior after visiting his father in Lebanon in 2018, according to his mother. Rushdie recounted the harrowing attack in his memoir, describing the moment he was stabbed multiple times by a man while preparing to discuss the safety of writers. The upcoming trial involving Matar will have Rushdie as a witness, shedding light on the events that transpired during the violent incident. Despite the rejection of the plea deal, the legal proceedings are set to continue, with the accused facing serious charges related to the attack on Rushdie. Representatives for Rushdie have not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding the case. The decision by Matar to forego the plea agreement underscores the gravity of the charges he is facing and the complexities surrounding the case, which has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the alleged motives behind the assault.