The man accused of stabbing writer Sir Salman Rushdie in 2022 in New York is now facing a new charge of supporting a terrorist group. Hadi Matar has been indicted for providing material support to the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, as revealed in court documents unsealed on Wednesday.
This development comes after Mr Matar turned down a plea deal from prosecutors that would have resulted in a shorter prison sentence if he pleaded guilty. In addition to the new charge of supporting a terrorist group, he is also facing charges of attempted murder and assault for the attack on Sir Salman Rushdie, which left the renowned author blind in one eye.
Mr Matar’s lawyer, Nathaniel Barone, has stated that his client intends to plead not guilty to the new charges and vigorously defend himself against all accusations. Despite being held without bail since the attack, Mr Matar maintains his innocence.
The indictment alleges that Mr Matar attempted to provide support and resources to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, but does not specify the evidence linking him to the group. Hezbollah is recognized as a terrorist organization by various Western countries, Israel, Gulf Arab nations, and the Arab League.
The motive behind the attack on Sir Salman Rushdie remains unclear, although Mr Matar mentioned in an interview from jail that he had watched videos of the author on YouTube and expressed disdain for what he perceived as disingenuous behavior. Sir Salman recounted the harrowing attack in an interview earlier this year, describing Mr Matar sprinting up the stairs and stabbing him multiple times in a 27-second assault that left him hospitalized for six weeks.
Sir Salman’s memoir detailing the incident, titled “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,” was published earlier this year, shedding light on the traumatic experience and its aftermath. The case continues to unfold as Mr Matar prepares to face the new charges in court.
