Hadi Matar has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree and assault in the second degree. He was arraigned on these charges last night and remanded without bail, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Saturday.
PUBLISHED 11:16 AM EDT Aug. 12, 2022Salman Rushdie remained hospitalized Saturday after suffering serious injuries in a stabbing attack as praise poured in for him from the West but he was disparaged in Iran.
Matar entered a not-guilty plea in a New York court on Saturday on charges of attempted murder and assault. An attorney for Matar entered the plea on his behalf during an arraignment hearing. Matar appeared in court wearing a black and white jumpsuit and a white face mask. His hands were cuffed in front of him. He has been remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail, according to the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office.
An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man confront Rushdie on stage and punch or stab him 10 to 15 times as he was being introduced. The 75-year-old author was pushed or fell to the floor, and Matar was arrested. Rabbi Charles Savenor was among the roughly 2,500 people in the audience. Amid gasps, spectators were ushered out of the outdoor amphitheater.
Our thoughts are with Salman & his loved ones following this horrific event. I have directed State Police to further assist however needed in the investigation.Another spectator, Kathleen Jones, said the attacker was dressed in black, with a black mask. Rushdie has been a prominent spokesman for free expression and liberal causes. He is a former president of PEN America, which said it was “reeling from shock and horror” at the attack.
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