Hadi Matar Convicted of Federal Terrorism for 2022 Rushdie Stabbing FAST-MOVING
A U.S. federal jury in Buffalo, New York found Hadi Matar, 28, guilty of all charges stemming from the August 2022 knife attack on author Salman Rushdie. The verdict includes convictions for transnational terrorism, providing material support to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and other terrorism‑related offenses. Matar is already serving a 25‑year New York state prison sentence for attempted murder of Rushdie, and the new federal conviction carries a potential life sentence, with sentencing set for 3 November.
Prosecutors said Matar was motivated by the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a 2006 Hezbollah speech urging enforcement of that edict. The defense, led by attorney Nathaniel Barone, argued the government lacked proof of Matar’s intent. Rushdie testified that he was stabbed 15 times, losing sight in his right eye and sustaining serious injuries.
The jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching the guilty verdict.
Entities: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei · Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini · Hadi Matar · Hezbollah · Salman Rushdie · U.S. District Court, Buffalo, New York · United States federal court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The 1989 fatwa has never been officially rescinded; Ayatollah Ali Khamenei indicated in 2017 that it remained in effect. (The fatwa was never rescinded; Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in 2017 it remained in force.)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Salman Rushdie was slashed 15 times and lost sight in his right eye during the attack. (Rushdie was stabbed 15 times and lost sight in his right eye.)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Matar is already serving a 25‑year New York state prison sentence for attempted‑murder conviction from the August 2022 attack. (Matar is already serving a 25‑year New York state prison sentence for attempted murder after the stabbing.)
- [● 10 SOURCES] The federal conviction carries a potential life sentence. (The federal conviction carries a potential life sentence, with sentencing set for November 3.)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Prosecutors asserted that Matar was motivated by the 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. (Prosecutors argued Matar acted to fulfill the 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Matar is 28 years old. (Hadi Matar, a 28‑year‑old US citizen, was convicted...)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Hadi Matar was convicted by a federal jury of all charges, including transnational terrorism. (The jury found Hadi Matar guilty of all federal terrorism charges, including transnational terrorism.)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Defense lawyer Nathaniel Barone argued that the government lacked proof of Matar's internal motivations. (Defense attorney Nathaniel Barone claimed the government had no proof of Matar's motives.)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Matar is already serving a 25‑year New York state prison sentence for attempted murder related to the August 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie. (state court sentencing)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Prosecutors argued Matar was motivated by the 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against Salman Rushdie. (prosecutors)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Hadi Matar, 28, was convicted by a U.S. federal jury of all charges including transnational terrorism and material support to Hezbollah. (United States federal court)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The federal conviction carries a potential life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for 3 November. (federal prosecutors)