THE GUARDIAN: Hadi Matar, already serving 25 years for attempted murder, denies federal charges that could bring a life sentence
The man who stabbed Salman Rushdie in the eye on stage in 2022 is standing trial for a second time – this time facing terrorism charges after being found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison last year.
Hadi Matar’s federal trial begins in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday, about 70 miles from the venue where Rushdie was due to speak about writers in political exile in August 2022, when he was stabbed more than a dozen times.
Matar, 28, was convicted last May of attempted murder and assault at the state level. He denies charges that include providing material support to terrorists and committing an act of transnational terrorism, and faces a possible life sentence if convicted on all counts.
Rushdie, 79, survived the attack but lost the use of one eye and suffered lasting nerve damage. The Booker prize-winning author is expected to testify again, having already given evidence at Matar’s state trial. The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks. » | Emma Loffhagen | Wednesday, July 22, 2026
