Prosecutor Reveals Motivation Behind Attack on Salman Rushdie: Terrorism Charges Filed

[Social Media]

 

In a significant development, federal prosecutors have announced that the man who severely injured author Salman Rushdie in a 2022 knife attack in western New York was driven by a Hezbollah leader's endorsement of a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death. The revelation came as new terrorism charges were filed against Hadi Matar, a U.S. citizen from New Jersey, marking a crucial step in the case.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kruly disclosed that Matar was motivated by the fatwa originally issued in 1989, which called for the death of Rushdie over his novel "The Satanic Verses." Matar believed that the fatwa had the backing of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group, and was further endorsed by the group's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, in a 2006 speech. According to Kruly, Matar's attack was an attempt to carry out this fatwa.

 

"We allege that in attempting to murder Salman Rushdie in New York in 2022, Hadi Matar committed an act of terrorism in the name of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization aligned with the Iranian regime," said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a news release. He emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to prosecuting those who perpetrate violence in the name of terrorist groups and undermine fundamental freedoms.

 

Matar, who already faces state charges of attempted murder and assault, pleaded not guilty to the new federal charges. These include terrorism transcending national boundaries, providing material support to terrorists, and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

 

Matar's attorney, Nathaniel Barone, highlighted the complexity of the federal case, noting that it involved multiple agencies and countries over a two-year investigation. Barone indicated that the federal case would delve into broader conspiracies compared to the state charges, which primarily focus on the physical assault on Rushdie during a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022. Despite the serious charges, Matar plans to mount a vigorous defense and maintains his innocence.

 

Since the attack, Matar has been held without bail. During the assault, he stabbed Rushdie more than a dozen times in front of an audience of about 1,500 people, leaving the author with knife wounds that blinded him in one eye. The event moderator, Henry Reese, was also wounded before bystanders managed to subdue Matar. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross commended the bravery of those present at the scene, stating, "This defendant put time and effort into traveling to the western district of New York with the intent of taking the life of another. Only because of the brave efforts of those who were present that day, the defendant was prevented from completing his murderous intention."

 

Rushdie detailed the harrowing attack and his subsequent painful recovery in a memoir published in April. The new federal charges against Matar follow his rejection of a plea deal offered by state prosecutors, which would have recommended a shorter prison sentence in exchange for guilty pleas to both state and federal charges. With this rejection, both cases are now set to proceed to trial separately. Jury selection for the state case is scheduled for October 15, while a detention hearing in the federal case is set for August 7.

 

The attack on Rushdie has raised ongoing concerns about his security, given the persistent death threats against him. Although state police and a county sheriff's deputy were assigned to his lecture, the incident has sparked debate about whether adequate protection was in place. Historical precedents underscore the severity of the threat: in 1991, a Japanese translator of "The Satanic Verses" was murdered, and an Italian translator survived a knife attack the same year. In 1993, the book’s Norwegian publisher was shot but survived.

 

Born in the U.S. to Lebanese parents, Matar holds dual citizenship. His mother has reported that her son became withdrawn and moody after visiting his father in Lebanon in 2018. The investigation into Rushdie's stabbing has also explored whether Matar acted alone or was in concert with militant or religious groups.

 

As the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a poignant reminder of the enduring and dangerous reach of extremist ideologies.

 

Credit: Time 2024-07-27

 

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[jippytum]

not rocket science. Shouldn't have taken years to  fugure the motive for the attack

[Purdey]

Well he failed, so no virgins for him.

[Will B Good]

4 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Well he failed, so no virgins for him.

 

I imagine he is quite adept at 'entertaining' himself.

[john donson]

44 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Well he failed, so no virgins for him.

 

he was close, if you saw the docu

[This Guy]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I imagine he is quite adept at 'entertaining' himself.

Like many on this forum

[Dionigi]

Rushdie's books may not be that good, but I hardly think they are any reason to try to kill him without the religious angle being brought in.

[Skeptic7]

This piece of 💩 terrorist fool should have his eye gouged out for starters, then be sentenced to a lifetime behind max security bars. 

[Emdog]

17 hours ago, Dionigi said:

Rushdie's books may not be that good, but I hardly think they are any reason to try to kill him without the religious angle being brought in.

Rushdie's books are great. The Satanic Verses is amazing display of masterpiece writing. He is great with "magic realism".... get it, read it. But it is no Joan Collins offhand fluff.... His first novel, "Midnight's Children" got him the Booker prize in the UK, so evidently others in the know agree to his ability.

I 100% doubt the Ayotollah read Satanic Verses, lazy bugger. If you are going to condemn someone to death, at least examine the 'evidence' that lead to that death warrant (Call it what it is, don't dress it up in some Arabic word)

[candide]

On 7/27/2024 at 7:50 AM, Purdey said:

Well he failed, so no virgins for him.

Actually, recent research suggests that was a translation error and that virgins are actually raisins! 😅

[cncltd1973]

8 hours ago, Emdog said:

Rushdie's books are great. The Satanic Verses is amazing display of masterpiece writing. He is great with "magic realism".... get it, read it. But it is no Joan Collins offhand fluff.... His first novel, "Midnight's Children" got him the Booker prize in the UK, so evidently others in the know agree to his ability.

I 100% doubt the Ayotollah read Satanic Verses, lazy bugger. If you are going to condemn someone to death, at least examine the 'evidence' that lead to that death warrant (Call it what it is, don't dress it up in some Arabic word)

their great prophet was illiterate, the warlord idiot couldn't read or write a word of anything, hardly surprising his followers aren't well read either and feel threatened by the pen

[TurnCoat]

Unfortunately, in the USA, disagreements may quickly lead to violence. Hollywood has glorified violence to the extent that an average person may easily drift into the black hole of hatred and commit horrible crimes. Salman being a Muslim put him in a group most stereotyped and hated in the USA and Europe.

Racial discrimination has its roots in the creation of the USA.  It has led to the destruction of Native American societies and culture, the exploitation of blacks as slaves, and tirades against Mexicans.

All the 3 major regions- Christianity, Islam, and Judaism continue to create conflicts, hatred, death, and destruction. Just look at 6000 miles of Holy land around Palestine. Very sad.