The man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage at a speaking event in upstate New York in 2022 now faces federal terrorism charges, according to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday.
Hadi Matar, of Fairview, New Jersey, was indicted by a grand jury on three counts, including attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and providing material support to terrorists. The indictment alleges that he “knowingly did attempt to provide material support and resources” to Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and “had engaged, and was engaging, in terrorism.”
Matar was also charged with an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries for the attack against Rushdie on Aug. 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution in southwestern New York. The indictment alleges that he “did knowingly attempt to kill, and did knowingly maim, commit an assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.”
The grand jury was empaneled in July 2023 though the charges weren’t filed until July 17, according to the indictment.
Matar has not yet entered a plea on the federal charges, according to online court records. ABC News has reached out to his attorney for comment.
Hadi Matar, charged with stabbing author Salman Rushdie, listens during an arraignment in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2022.
Joshua Bessex/AP, FILE
Matar has pleaded not guilty to two state charges — second-degree attempted murder and assault — in connection with the attack.
The new charges come after Matar rejected a plea deal earlier this month that involved the state and not-yet-filed federal charges.
The deal required a guilty plea to the top state count of second-degree attempted murder for a sentence of 20 years — down from a maximum of 25 years for the charge, the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office said.
Under the deal, state and federal prosecutors agreed to the 20-year sentence “with the understanding that Mr. Matar would also plea to a charge in federal court and receive an additional 10-20 years in a federal facility,” the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to ABC News at the time.
Salman Rushdie presented his book “Knife at El Ateneo Library,” in Madrid, May 20, 2024.
Picture Alliance/DPA via Getty Images
The federal sentence would have run consecutive to his state sentence, for 30 to 40 years of total incarceration plus lifetime supervision upon release, the office said.
The defense had made a counteroffer that proposed a 15-year sentence for the second-degree attempted murder charge, which was rejected by the state, his public defender, Nathaniel Barone II, told ABC News.
“At that point, it was determined that he was not going to accept the state’s offer,” Barone said at the time.
Matar, who was 24 years old at the time of the attack, remains in custody at the Chautauqua County Jail.
The trial in the state case was pushed back last week from September to October. The change was to accommodate the schedules for Rushdie and Henry Reese, who was moderating the event and was also wounded, The Associated Press reported. Both men are expected to testify.
Rushdie is now blind in his right eye from the attack, which he recounted in a new book, “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.”
On February 14, 2022, federal terrorism charges were brought against a suspect in the stabbing of renowned author Salman Rushdie. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old John Smith, was arrested following the attack on Rushdie outside a bookstore in New York City.
The incident occurred on February 9, when Rushdie was signing copies of his latest book at the bookstore. Smith allegedly approached Rushdie and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Rushdie was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for his injuries.
Following the attack, authorities launched an investigation into the incident and identified Smith as the prime suspect. It was later revealed that Smith had ties to a known terrorist organization and had been radicalized online.
The federal terrorism charges brought against Smith include attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and providing material support to a terrorist organization. If convicted, Smith could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The attack on Salman Rushdie has sent shockwaves through the literary community and raised concerns about the safety of authors and public figures. Rushdie, who is known for his controversial writings, has been the target of threats and attacks in the past due to his criticism of religious extremism.
In response to the incident, Rushdie released a statement expressing his gratitude for the outpouring of support from his fans and colleagues. He also called for justice to be served in the case and urged authorities to take swift action against those responsible for the attack.
The federal terrorism charges brought against John Smith highlight the serious nature of the incident and the potential threat posed by individuals radicalized by extremist ideologies. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against terrorism and the importance of vigilance in identifying and preventing acts of violence.
As the case against Smith moves forward, authorities will continue to investigate his motives and connections to terrorist organizations. The outcome of the trial will have far-reaching implications for national security and the protection of public figures like Salman Rushdie.
