A US federal jury has found Hadi Matar, the man accused of attacking author Salman Rushdie, guilty on multiple federal terrorism-related charges. The verdict, delivered in Buffalo, New York, follows the 2022 assault on Rushdie during a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution.
Matar Convicted of Material Support to Hezbollah
Matar, a 28-year-old resident of New Jersey, was convicted of attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors presented evidence arguing that Matar spent months meticulously planning the attack, driven by a fatwa issued against Rushdie following his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses.
“Hadi Matar, who was born and raised in the United States, chose to align his values with the terroristic values of the leaders of Iran, which often promote violence, and in this case, the call for murder,” stated US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York.
Premeditated Attack and Ideological Ties
Prosecutors detailed how Matar researched the fatwa for over a year, preparing for the assault that occurred on August 12, 2022. Officials revealed that Matar had investigated the continued validity of the religious decree and communicated with individuals in Iran, Australia, and Canada regarding it, as well as Hezbollah's backing.
Evidence included videos Matar allegedly created, titled “Rushdie_Fatwa 2.0” and “Rushdie_Fatwa 1.6,” which featured content related to the fatwa and statements by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “Matar spent more than a year immersing himself in Hezbollah’s violent ideology and preparing to act on a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollahs calling for Rushdie’s murder,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Eisenberg added, “His brutal attack on Rushdie during a peaceful speaking event is a chilling reminder of the global reach of Iranian terrorism. With today’s verdict, justice has been done, and Matar will pay for his crimes.”
The Assault at Chautauqua
The attack unfolded as Rushdie was about to deliver a lecture. Prosecutors emphasized that Matar's actions were a deliberate attempt to carry out the call for Rushdie’s murder. “He spent months planning and preparing to carry out what he hoped would be the execution of Salman Rushdie and possibly follow in the footsteps of martyrs he admired,” DiGiacomo noted.
However, the attempted act of terror failed, and Salman Rushdie survived, thanks to the swift intervention of courageous members of the public and law enforcement who apprehended Matar.
Investigation Uncovers Hezbollah Links
FBI officials confirmed that the investigation demonstrated the attack was a planned act in support of Hezbollah, not an impulsive one. Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division stated, “This was not an impulsive act; Matar conducted a violent attack in support of a designated foreign terrorist organisation and wanted to carry out a fatwa against the victim.”
Investigators discovered that Matar traveled to the venue using the alias “Hassan Mughniyeh,” a name that prosecutors say combined references to prominent Hezbollah figures Hassan Nasrallah and Imad Mughniyeh. Prior to the attack, Matar had also visited Hezbollah-related websites and viewed material about members of the organization designated as martyrs.
Matar now faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for November 3, before US District Judge Richard J. Arcara, who presided over the trial.