U.K. Police Investigate Online Threat to J.K. Rowling

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The author of the “Harry Potter” books was threatened on Twitter after she posted condolences for the novelist Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed on Friday in western New York.

The threat was in response to J.K. Rowling’s tweet that the assault on the novelist Salman Rushdie was “Horrifying news.” | Neil Hall/EPA, via Shutterstock
The authorities in the United Kingdom said on Sunday that they were investigating an online threat against the author J.K. Rowling after she offered support on social media to Salman Rushdie, the novelist who was attacked last week at an event in western New York.

Hours after the attack on Mr. Rushdie, who was stabbed roughly 10 times as he prepared to speak at the Chautauqua Institution, Ms. Rowling tweeted her condolences. She first wrote on Twitter, “Horrifying news,” then added: “Feeling very sick right now. Let him be OK.”

In response, a user with the handle @MeerAsifAziz1 replied: “Don’t worry you are next.”

The tweet was later deleted, and the account was suspended by Sunday evening. » | Kurtis Lee | Sunday, August 14,2022