Salman Rushdie Testifies In Federal Terrorism Trial Of Convicted Attacker
Salman Rushdie testified in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in the federal terrorism trial of Hadi Matar, who is accused of stabbing him.[1]
Rushdie told jurors he was stabbed about 15 times at the Chautauqua Institution and left in a pool of blood, suffering permanent blindness in his right eye and other serious injuries.[1] Matar, 28, was sentenced to 25 years in state prison for attempted murder and now faces federal charges including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism that could carry a life sentence.[1]
On August 12, 2022, prosecutors say Matar rushed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and stabbed Rushdie during a speaking appearance.[1] Prosecutors presented evidence they say shows Matar was influenced by the 1989 Iranian fatwa and by Hezbollah.[1] They pointed to a note reading "We need to kill him ASAP" and pro-Hezbollah material found in his New Jersey bedroom.[1]
The defense says prosecutors are asking jurors to "connect the dots" without direct evidence of Matar's intent at the moment of the attack.[1] His lawyer told the court Matar may choose to testify in the federal trial.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Salman Rushdie testified before a federal jury in Buffalo, New York, in Hadi Matar’s terrorism trial.
- Rushdie recounted the August 12, 2022 attack at the Chautauqua Institution, saying he was stabbed about 15 times and left in a pool of blood, suffering permanent blindness in his right eye and other serious injuries.
- Matar, 28, has already been sentenced to 25 years in state prison for attempted murder and now faces federal charges including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism that could carry a life sentence.
- Prosecutors presented evidence that Matar was influenced by the 1989 Iranian fatwa and Hezbollah, including his own note stating "We need to kill him ASAP" and pro‑Hezbollah material found in his New Jersey bedroom.
- The defense contends the government is asking jurors to "connect the dots" without direct evidence of Matar’s intent at the moment of the attack, and his lawyer says Matar may choose to testify in this trial.
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