Hadi Matar Charged with Federal Terrorism Counts in Salman Rushdie Stabbing Case

Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing renowned author Salman Rushdie, has been indicted on three federal terrorism-related charges, as revealed in a grand jury indictment unsealed on Wednesday. The charges include committing an act of terrorism that transcends national boundaries, attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists. Matar, who has pleaded not guilty, is also facing state charges of second-degree attempted murder and assault related to the August 2022 incident at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. The indictment alleges that Matar sought to offer support and resources to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, by providing “himself, and services.” His attorney, Nathaniel Barone, stated that Matar has consistently maintained his innocence regarding both state and federal charges. Matar recently declined a state plea deal that would have included a federal terrorism-related charge, which could have resulted in a reduced prison sentence. If convicted of the federal charges, Matar faces a potential life sentence. He is scheduled to appear in state court in October. Salman Rushdie, 77, has faced significant controversy and threats due to his literary work, particularly his novel "The Satanic Verses," which led to a fatwa issued by the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, calling for Rushdie's death. This ongoing case continues to draw attention to issues of free speech and terrorism.