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Sir Salman Rushdie is “likely” to lose an eye after being stabbed in New York, his agent has revealed.
The author of “Satanic Verses” was attacked on stage at an event in New York State on Friday (12.08.22), his manager Andrew Wylie confirmed in a statement that he is now on a ventilator and cannot say.
“Salman could lose an eye; a nerve in his arm was cut; his liver was stabbed and damaged,” Wiley said.
Rushdie has been subjected to death threats from Islamists for years after publishing his controversial 1988 novel, “The Satanic Verses,” which was considered blasphemous by many Muslims.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa calling for the assassination of Rushdie, the author of which went into hiding for nearly a decade.
The suspect in the attack has been named Hadi Mattar, 24, of New Jersey.
New York State Police confirmed that the suspect ran onto the stage and attacked Rushdie of the Chautauqua Institute and interviewer Henry Rees.
Police have not revealed any motives or charges as they are obtaining search warrants to examine backpacks and electronic devices found at the centre.
Authorities confirmed that Rushdie had been stabbed at least once in the neck and abdomen, and the author was helicoptered to a hospital in Pennsylvania.
Witness Linda Abraham recalled how the suspect tried to keep attacking Rushdie even though he had been restrained.
She told The New York Times: “About five men pulled him away and he was still stabbing. He was just angry, angry. Like very strong and fast.”
Rushdie’s attack drew strong support from politicians and fellow writers, with author Neil Gaiman saying he was “shocked and distressed” following the incident.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Shocked that Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed while exercising a right we should never stop defending.”
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