US jury convicts man on terror charges for stabbing that gravely wounded Salman Rushdie

Hadi Matar was convicted Wednesday on federal terrorism charges for the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. The jury deliberated for a few hours before finding Matar guilty of all charges, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. Prosecutors argued Matar was motivated by the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against Rushdie for his novel "The Satanic Verses."

"His brutal attack on Mr. Rushdie during a peaceful speaking event is a chilling reminder of the global reach of Iranian terrorism,"

said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg. Rushdie, who was gravely wounded and lost sight in one eye, testified that he couldn't discern Matar's exact ambitions. Matar, already serving a 25-year state sentence, faces a potential life term at his federal sentencing on November 3.