Salman Rushdie attacker convicted on terror charges, including Hezbollah support

A U.S. man already serving a lengthy prison sentence for the brutal stabbing of author Salman Rushdie has been convicted on new federal charges, including providing material support to the militant group Hezbollah. Hadi Matar was found guilty by a federal jury in New York on Wednesday.

The jury convicted Matar of engaging in an act of transnational terrorism and supporting Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S., U.K., and other nations. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Matar's actions were influenced by a 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's then-supreme leader calling for Rushdie's death, as well as a 2006 speech by a former Hezbollah leader urging the fatwa's execution.

During the trial, Rushdie himself testified, recounting the 15 stab wounds he sustained in the 2022 attack, which left him partially blind in one eye. He credited a firefighter with saving his life. Matar's defense argued the attack was not an act of terrorism, but the jury ultimately rejected this claim, convicting him on both federal charges. He now faces a potential life sentence, adding to his existing 25-year sentence for attempted murder handed down in a New York state court.

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He credited a firefighter with helping save his life.