Hadi Matar, the man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie in 2022, has been convicted on federal terrorism charges. A jury found Matar guilty of attempting to provide material support to the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group, committing an act of terrorism that transcended national boundaries, and providing material support to terrorists.
The conviction stems from the August 2022 knife attack on Rushdie, which prosecutors argued was motivated by a fatwa, or religious edict, issued by Iran's government against the author in 1988. The fatwa, calling for Rushdie's death over his novel "The Satanic Verses," was later reaffirmed by Iran's Supreme Leader.
Matar, who was born in the U.S. and holds Lebanese citizenship, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He is already serving a 25-year sentence after being convicted in state court of attempted murder for the attack that left Rushdie blind in one eye and with severe injuries. His federal sentencing is scheduled for November 3.
During the federal trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Matar's devotion to Hezbollah, including an essay praising the group and a video he created featuring remarks from a former Hezbollah leader. They argued that without the fatwa, Matar would not have been motivated to attack Rushdie. Matar's defense attorney contended that his client acted independently and was not directed by Hezbollah.
Rushdie, who testified during the trial, has previously described the attack as reminiscent of the decade he spent in hiding after the fatwa was issued. The attack occurred as Rushdie was speaking at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York.