What was supposed to be a peaceful talk about the safety of writers turned into a nightmare in 2022 when acclaimed author Salman Rushdie was viciously stabbed on stage in western New York.
Now, nearly three years later, justice has been served—at least in part.
The man responsible for the horrifying attack, 27-year-old Hadi Matar, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Rushdie’s Attacker Found Guilty
Back in February, a jury convicted Matar on charges of attempted murder and assault.
The attack left Rushdie, now 77, permanently blind in one eye and fighting for his life.
Though Rushdie didn’t attend the sentencing hearing this Friday, he did submit a powerful victim impact statement.
During his trial, the author gave an emotional account of the moment he thought he was going to die as Matar drove a knife into his head and body repeatedly—over a dozen times—while on stage at the Chautauqua Institution.
Matar Speaks, Calls Rushdie a Hypocrite
Before learning his fate, Matar made a brief statement in court, invoking freedom of speech and referring to Rushdie as a hypocrite.
But the judge wasn’t swayed. The court handed down the maximum sentence: 25 years for attempting to murder Rushdie and an additional seven years for injuring a man who was onstage with him during the incident.
Because the attack was considered a single event, both sentences will be served at the same time.
Prosecutor Describes a Calculated Act
District Attorney Jason Schmidt didn’t hold back when describing Matar’s actions.
He told the judge that this was no random act—it was deliberate, designed to cause as much pain and trauma as possible.
Schmidt emphasized how the attack impacted not just Rushdie, but the entire community and the hundreds of people who had gathered to hear him speak that day.
Defense Argues for Lighter Sentence
Matar’s public defender, Nathaniel Barone, argued that his client had no prior criminal record and disagreed that the audience members should be treated as victims.
He suggested that a 12-year sentence would be more appropriate.
But the judge ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s assessment of the attack’s gravity.
A Long Road to Recovery for Rushdie
After the attack, Rushdie was rushed to a hospital in Pennsylvania, where he spent 17 days in critical care.
He then spent several weeks in a rehabilitation facility in New York City, slowly regaining strength.
In 2024, he shared his harrowing experience and recovery in a memoir aptly titled Knife, giving readers an unflinching look into the physical and emotional toll of the assault.
Another Trial Still to Come
Although Matar’s state trial has concluded, his legal battles are far from over.
He’s now facing a federal trial on terrorism-related charges.
This next trial is expected to explore his alleged motives in much greater depth.
Prosecutors say Matar’s actions were driven by an old edict calling for Rushdie’s death, originally issued in 1989 by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini following the release of The Satanic Verses.
The Lingering Threat of a Decades-Old Edict
According to federal authorities, Matar believed he was carrying out a religious decree that had been echoed in more recent years by Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Matar allegedly viewed this fatwa as active and relevant when he left his home in Fairview, New Jersey, and traveled to Chautauqua to carry out the attack.
The Chilling Moment Caught on Camera
Video footage shown in court revealed the terrifying moment of the attack.
It captured Matar walking up behind the seated Rushdie and suddenly lunging forward to stab him.
As the crowd gasped in horror, Rushdie tried to escape, standing up and stumbling as Matar clung to him, slashing until they both collapsed.
Audience members quickly intervened, pulling Matar away.
Quick Verdict, Heavy Consequences
The jury in Matar’s trial reached a verdict after less than two hours of deliberation, a reflection of just how clear the case was.
While Rushdie continues to heal and face the long-term effects of the attack, Matar will now serve decades behind bars.
But with a federal terrorism case still looming, the story of this chilling attack isn’t quite over yet.