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Trial of Hadi Matar Begins in Salman Rushdie Attack Case
Opening Statements in Attempted Murder Trial
The trial of Hadi Matar, accused of attempting to murder author Salman Rushdie, has begun in Mayville, New York. Prosecutors and defense attorneys delivered their opening statements as the case moves forward. Matar, 27, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.
Key Evidence and Expected Duration
The trial is expected to last one to two weeks, with prosecutors presenting key evidence, including videos and photographs of the attack. The incident took place in August 2022 at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was about to give a talk on protecting writers from harm.
Salman Rushdie to Testify
Salman Rushdie, now 77, is expected to be one of the first witnesses to testify in court. He suffered severe injuries in the attack, including blindness in his right eye and damage to his liver and intestines.
Background of the Attack
Rushdie has faced threats since the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses in 1988, which led to a fatwa calling for his death by Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He lived in hiding for years but later resumed public life.
Federal Terrorism Charges
In addition to the state charges, Matar faces separate federal charges accusing him of attempting to murder Rushdie as an act of terrorism and providing material support to Hezbollah, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. These charges will be handled in a separate trial in Buffalo.
Potential Sentence
If convicted of attempted murder, Matar faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
“Trial of Hadi Matar Begins in Salman Rushdie Attack Case”