HADI MATAR | Stabbing of Salman Rushdie | US-born Iran sympathizer accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie | Rushdie suffered severe injuries, including loss of sight in his right eye and damage to his left hand | ALS

Hadi Matar. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Buffalo, NY. July 15, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old author, was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault for the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie on August 12, 2022. The attack occurred as Rushdie was preparing to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Rushdie suffered severe injuries, including loss of sight in his right eye and damage to his left hand. The motive behind the attack is believed to be related to Shia Islamic extremism, possibly as an attempted realization of a fatwa against Rushdie issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

Hadi Matar’s trial has been delayed due to Salman Rushdie’s upcoming memoir about the attack, titled Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, set to release in April 2024. Matar’s defense is seeking material related to Rushdie’s memoir before the trial proceeds.

Hadi Matar has not been officially confirmed to be part of any extremist group. However, investigations and reviews of his social media accounts have indicated that he has sympathies towards Shia extremism and causes supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Authorities found images of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in 2020, in a cell phone messaging app belonging to Matar. Additionally, Matar’s social media accounts showed extremist beliefs and photos of deceased Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. While there are no definitive links to the IRGC, the initial assessment indicates that he is sympathetic to the Iranian government group.

The attack on Rushdie had severe physical consequences for the author. Rushdie suffered multiple stab wounds, including to the face, neck and abdomen. His agent reported that Rushdie had sustained a damaged liver, severed nerves in an arm, and was likely to lose an eye as a result of the attack. Following the incident, he was placed on a ventilator but was later able to talk after being taken off the ventilator.

The attack also had broader implications, reigniting discussions about freedom of speech, the dangers faced by authors, and the impact of extremism. Rushdie’s literary works, especially The Satanic Verses, have sparked controversy since their release, resulting in prolonged threats to his life and requiring heightened security measures. The incident at the Chautauqua Institution brought these issues back into public discourse and highlighted the ongoing risks associated with challenging extremist ideologies.

Hadi Matar is facing legal consequences for his actions. He has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault in connection with the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Jury selection, which was originally scheduled to start on January 8, 2024, is on hold until the defense can review the manuscript and related material. The US Justice Department is also considering separate federal charges against Matar.

VIDEO: WION Wideangle | Salman Rushdie attack: The World of Fatwas, decoded | https://youtu.be/-52dPlg95TA

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board—Acid Free

Shipping/Packaging: Rigid Mailer 9.5 × 12.5. White, self seal, stay flat, Kraft cardboard, no bend. Each rigid mailer is made of heavy cardboard, which has strong resistance to bending and tearing. Thicker that the USPS mailers. Shipping cost never more than it absolutely has to be to get it from me to you.