On May 16, 2025, Hadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2022 knife attack on author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Convicted in February of attempted murder and assault, Matar left Rushdie, now 77, blind in one eye and severely injured.
Judge David Foley imposed the maximum 25-year sentence for attempted murder, with a concurrent seven-year term for injuring another person during the assault.
Rushdie, attacked while being introduced for a lecture on writer safety, recounted in court, “I thought I was dying,” as Matar stabbed him repeatedly in the head and torso. In a victim impact statement, Rushdie detailed his recovery, which required weeks in hospital and rehabilitation. His memoir Knife, published in 2024, explores the attack’s aftermath.
Hadi Matar received the maximum sentence of 25 years for the attack on Salman Rushdie and seven years for assault on another attendee at the speaking event. The sentences are to run concurrently. https://t.co/Jkswbfwiw6 pic.twitter.com/XO0HJuAWiL
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 16, 2025Matar’s Defence and Motivation
Before sentencing, Matar, a U.S. citizen from New Jersey, called Rushdie a “hypocrite” on free speech, justifying his actions. Prosecutor Jason Schmidt argued Matar planned the attack to cause maximum harm, while defence attorney Nathaniel Barone, citing Matar’s clean record, sought a 12-year sentence. Prosecutors link Matar’s motive to a 1988 fatwa against Rushdie over The Satanic Verses, allegedly endorsed by Hezbollah, though Iran later distanced itself.
Attorney speaks after Hadi Matar sentenced for Salman Rushdie’s attempted murder https://t.co/M2VrvOsh8M
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 16, 2025Matar faces a separate federal trial on terrorism-related charges, including providing material support to terrorists. He has pleaded not guilty, with the case set to examine his ideological motivations further.
The sentencing underscores ongoing debates about free speech and safety for public figures. Rushdie’s survival and literary contributions remain a testament to his enduring impact.
