Man convicted of federal terrorism charges for 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie

A federal jury in Buffalo, New York, convicted Hadi Matar of all charges, including transnational terrorism, for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. The verdict was reached after just a few hours of deliberation. Matar, who is already serving a 25-year state sentence for attempted murder, awaits federal sentencing on Nov. 3, where he could receive a life term.

Prosecutors said Matar was motivated by the 1989 Iranian fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death and presented messaging app evidence showing he planned the attack as a “jihad.” They also highlighted photographs in his New Jersey bedroom that suggested support for Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.

"His brutal attack on Mr. Rushdie during a peaceful speaking event is a chilling reminder of the global reach of Iranian terrorism," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said after the verdict.

Rushdie, who was slashed 15 times and lost sight in his right eye, testified that he could not determine the attacker’s motives but described the injuries as scattered across his body. He added that he had lived a public life for two decades without trouble before the attack.

Matar’s defense argued that the government had not proven his state of mind. The defendant declined to testify.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Matar spent months planning the killing, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch cited a private note in which Matar wrote, “We need to kill him ASAP.”

Iran’s government denied involvement in the assault, and the fatwa has never been formally rescinded, with the current Iranian leadership indicating it remains in effect.