[ad_1]
The suspect in the attack on Sir Salman Rushdie has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.
Hadi Mattar, 24, has been formally charged with attempted murder after the author was attacked on stage in Chautauqua, N.Y. on Friday (08/08/22), but his lawyers were charged with attempted murder on Friday (08/08/22) Six denied the allegation at an arraignment hearing.
“Hadi Matar, the man responsible for the attack, has now been formally charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault,” Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said before the hearing.
Police believe the suspect acted alone. However, Schmidt confirmed that state and federal authorities are still studying whether any additional fees can be added.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wiley, the agent for the author of The Satanic Verses, confirmed that Rushdie was on a ventilator and was unable to speak.
He revealed Rushdie’s injuries in a statement, saying: “Salman may have lost an eye; a nerve in his arm was cut; his liver was stabbed and damaged.”
The India-born author rose to prominence in the 1980s when his book The Midnight Child sold over a million copies in the UK.
However, his fourth book, The Satanic Verses, forced him into hiding for a decade, accusing the controversial novel of being blasphemous.
The book sparked anti-Rushdie riots in India and protests around the world.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini even called for Rushdie’s execution and $3 million as a reward.
Rushdie was born a non-practicing Muslim and is now an atheist. Although his work has been criticized, he has also frequently spoken out in support of free speech.
[ad_2]
Source link