Tue Feb 11 15:20:22 UTC 2025: ## Rushdie Testifies Against Attacker in New York Trial
**Mayville, NY –** Author Salman Rushdie took the stand on Tuesday in the New York trial of Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing him in 2022. Rushdie, 77, detailed the injuries he sustained during the attack, which left him blinded in one eye and required months of recovery. Matar, 27, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault.
The trial, expected to last two weeks, opened on Monday with opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense. Prosecutors argued the attack was unprovoked, emphasizing the directness of the assault witnessed by others present at the event. The defense countered that the prosecution needs to prove more than just the occurrence of a “very bad event.”
While the attack occurred during a speech at an arts institution, the prosecution indicated it would not delve into the 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie’s death, arguing that Matar’s motive is irrelevant given the clear nature of the attack. However, a separate federal indictment alleges Matar’s actions were influenced by a terrorist organization’s 2006 endorsement of the fatwa, leading to a separate trial on federal terrorism charges.
The trial is presenting jurors with video and photographic evidence from the day of the attack. Rushdie’s testimony is a key element in the prosecution’s case.
First Piper 