Man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie is charged with federal terrorism-related counts
Hadi Matar is charged with committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and providing material support to terrorists.
In August 2022, Rushdie was stabbed several times onstage shortly before he was due to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Matar has already pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault in connection with the stabbing.
Federal authorities allege in the unsealed grand jury indictment that Matar attempted to provide material support and resources – including “himself, and services” to “a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely, Hizballah,” according to the four-page indictment.
The indictment alleges Matar “did knowingly attempt to kill, and did knowingly maim, commit an assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon, a person within the United States.” It does not mention Rushdie by name.
Matar recently rejected a state plea deal that would have tied in a federal terrorism-related charge and reduced his state prison sentence.
Matar’s attorney, Nathaniel Barone, told CNN his client “has maintained his innocence, not only on the state charges, but will continue to maintain his innocence on the federal charges as well.”
“In addition, Mr. Matar will exercise any and all of his fundamental and constitutional rights in defending this matter to the fullest,” Barone said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, our legal team is actively working to defend Us firmly against these serious allegations. Furthermore, we urge the public to respect the due process and presumption of innocence that every individual is entitled to in a fair trial.
