BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The courtroom drama surrounding the high-profile federal terrorism case of Hadi Matar, accused of stabbing renowned author Salman Rushdie, is nearing its conclusion. Neither Matar nor any witnesses were called to the stand on Tuesday, setting the stage for the jury to deliberate as early as Wednesday.
Represented by attorney Nathaniel Barone, Matar, who is already serving a sentence for state-level attempted murder, chose to remain silent during his trial on federal charges, including transnational terrorism. “At this time, the defense rests,” Barone declared, maintaining Matar’s not guilty plea.
With the prosecution also concluding its case on Tuesday, closing arguments are scheduled to unfold on Wednesday morning. Last week, Rushdie, acclaimed for his works such as “Midnight’s Children” and the contentious “The Satanic Verses,” testified about the 2022 incident that almost claimed his life and resulted in blindness in one eye.
The shocking assault occurred as Rushdie was poised to discuss the safety of writers at the Chautauqua Institution, an esteemed hub for arts and intellect. The attack unfolded before a shocked audience as Matar stabbed him 15 times. Swift action by spectators and fellow speaker Henry Reese helped detain the assailant until law enforcement intervened. Initially providing a false identity, Matar later disclosed his true name to authorities.
Prosecutors argue that Matar’s actions were influenced by a 1989 edict from a former Iranian leader, calling for Rushdie’s death over “The Satanic Verses,” which spurred global protests among Muslims. The novel became infamous for a dream sequence involving Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
Born in India to a Muslim family, Rushdie, now a U.S. citizen, spent years in hiding after the fatwa by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which Iran’s government distanced itself from in 1998. Despite Khomeini’s death in 1989, the shadow of his decree lingered.
The prosecution contends that Matar, an American-Lebanese citizen, acted out of allegiance to Iran and Hezbollah. In 2006, the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah remarked that adherence to the fatwa might have deterred European media from publishing controversial depictions of Muhammad.
Although Iran denied any role in the 2022 attack, its Foreign Ministry suggested Rushdie invited peril by offending Islam. Nasrallah has not commented on the incident.
Designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., Hezbollah was deemed a terrorist entity by Matar himself in a 2016 paper, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch. Evidence presented shows Matar began tracking Rushdie in 2020, noting plans to “kill him ASAP” and urging himself to “become a warrior.”
Matar also refrained from testifying at his 2025 state trial. His defense attorney argues the prosecution lacks definitive evidence regarding Matar’s motives. “There’s no facts. There’s no hard evidence,” Barone stated outside the courthouse, suggesting multiple explanations for Matar’s actions.
The judge dismissed Barone’s motion to halt the trial due to insufficient evidence. Matar is currently serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder, with a potential life sentence looming if convicted federally.
