Salman Rushdie's attacker pleads 'not guilty' to second degree murder and assault charges
Salman Rushdie, Hadi Matar
On Thursday, Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing novelist Salman Rushdie pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and assault.
The 24-year-old suspect is accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie, 75, last week as the author prepared to give a speech on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York state.
As per Reuters, agrand jury has indicted Matar on two counts: attempted second-degree murder, which carries a potential sentence of 25 years in jail, and another of second-degree assault.
Watch |Rushdie attacker's mother hints at radicalisation, says her son is ‘responsible for his actions’
Rushdie sustained multiple stabbing wounds on his neck and abdomen.
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order
)
France offers deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with 94 to be made in India
)
After NEET protests, CJP holds crucial strategy meet in Maharashtra to chart national expansion
)
The Paradise teaser: Nani's intense avatar and stunning visuals impress fans; new release date announced
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Jos Buttler to Kieron Pollard, 5 highest run-scorers in T20 cricket
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
Secret weapon test blamed for US plane crash that killed four | Gravitas
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Massive attack coming... wait, never mind': Iran mocks US 'theatre diplomacy,' rejects Trump's claim of Hormuz progress
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
India cuts timeline to remove unlawful AI content from 36 to 3 hours. What are the new rules?
)
Who is Abhay Kumar Tiwari? The alleged mastermind of Jharkhand exam paper leaks
)
High-profile tennis club kills its long-term resident geese for pooping on the court
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
Michael 2 plans revealed: Makers to start filming soon with THIS release window
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Netanyahu reignites tensions with Lebanon strikes, Iran threatens to hit Gulf states | Gravitas
)
Pakistan inks defence pact with Somalia amid Houthi threat in Bab al-Mandab | Gravitas
)
Cabinet approves ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost compressed biogas production
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
Zendaya and Tom Holland celebrate their marriage with private reception in England
)
At least 30 Yemeni troops killed in Houthi missile and drone attacks; toll may go up
)
US may force more visa applicants to make social media accounts public under Trump's new plan
)
'I would like to support...': Sonam Wangchuk reveals if he will join Jharkhand student protesters in Ranchi
)
Several Indian states ban analogue paneer: Experts explain what it is and the health risks | WION Decodes
According to Rushdie's representative, the attack left him with serious wounds, including nerve damage to his arm, liver injuries, and the potential loss of an eye.
Matar was tried at the Chautauqua County Courthouse on these charges and has been in detentionsince his capture.
The attack happened 33 years after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran at the time, issued a religious decree, or fatwa, denouncing Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses."
Khomeini called on Muslims around the world toexecute Rushdie because of a number of passages and statements he made about the Prophet Muhammad that some have deemed heretical and blasphemous.
In an interview with the New York Post that was published on Wednesday that Matar said that he respected Khomeini, but refused to confirm whether or not the fatwa was the source of his inspiration. He claimed to have "read a couple of pages" of "The Satanic Verses" and to have seen the author's YouTube videos.
Matar, as quoted bythe Post, remarked about Rushdie, "I don't like him very much."
"He's someone who attacked Islam, he attacked their beliefs, the belief systems."
(With inputs from agencies)
Watch WION LIVE HERE:
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
