Salman Rushdie – latest: Author on ventilator as venue ‘rejected advice to tighten security’
Author Salman Rushdie attacked on stage in New York
The man suspected of attacking novelist Salman Rushdie on Friday has been charged with attempted murder and assault, prosecutors said on Saturday.
The alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, 24, has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree by the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office. He has been remanded without bail, a statement from prosecutors added.
Meanwhile, the venue where the author was stabbed in the neck rejected advice to tighten up its security prior to last night’s attack, according to a report.
Sources told CNN that recommendations on measures such as bag checks and metal detectors were not taken up by the Chautauqua Institution, near Buffalo, New York, where Mr Rushdie had been scheduled to deliver a lecture, over fears that it would change the venue’s culture.
It has not yet been confirmed what type of weapon the alleged attacker used to stab Mr Rushdie, who is on a ventilator in hospital.
Attack on Rushdie was ‘pre-planned’, says lawyer
The man accused of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie pleaded not guilty on Saturday to charges of attempted murder and assault, in what a prosecutor called a “pre-planned” crime, as the renowned author of The Satanic Verses remained in hospital with serious injuries.
A lawyer for Hadi Matar entered the plea on his behalf during a formal hearing at a court in western New York.
Matar appeared in court wearing a black and white jumpsuit and a white face mask, with his hands cuffed in front of him.
A judge ordered him to be held without bail after district attorney Jason Schmidt told her Matar took steps to purposely put himself in a position to harm Sir Salman, getting an advance pass to the event where the author was speaking and arriving a day early with a fake ID.
“This was a targeted, unprovoked, pre-planned attack on Mr Rushdie,” Mr Schmidt said.
Public defender Nathaniel Barone said the authorities had taken too long to get Matar in front of a judge, while leaving him “hooked up to a bench at the state police barracks”.
“He has that constitutional right of presumed innocence,” Mr Barone added.
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 22:53
Rushdie’s wounds include a puncture wound to his right eye
Salman Rushdie’s injuries include three stab wounds to the right side of the front of his neck and a puncture wound to his right eye, Chautauqua’s county district attorney has said.
The author also has four stab wounds to his stomach, a puncture wound to his check, and a laceration on his right thigh, the attorney said.
The details of his injuries were provided during suspect Matar’s arraignment.
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 21:57
Read the latest news about the attack on Salman Rushdie here:
Man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie charged with attempted murder
“This is the very early stage of what will invariably be a protracted legal process,” DA says
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 21:04
Justin Trudeau joins political leaders expressing shock at Rushdie attack
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that the attack on author Salman Rushdie is a strike on the freedom of expression.
“No one should be threatened or harmed on the basis of what they have written. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” Trudeau said in a tweet.
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:54
Breaking: Suspect enters not guilty plea – Associated Press
The suspect in the attack on ‘Satanic Verses’ author Salman Rushdie has entered a not-guilty plea in a New York court.
Hadi Matar, 24, has been charged with attempted murder and assault, prosecutors said on Saturday.
Man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie charged with attempted murder
“This is the very early stage of what will invariably be a protracted legal process,” DA says
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:29
Suspected attacker denied bail from custody
The suspected attacker, 24-year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, was transported and arraigned at Chautauqua County Jail on Saturday.
The man suspected of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie is being remanded in custody without bail after being charged with attempted murder and assault, New York state police have said.
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:29
London Mayor Sadiq Khan ‘sickened’ by attack on Rushdie
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:00
Who is Salman Rushdie and why is he controversial?
Who is Salman Rushdie and why is he controversial?
Joe Middleton13 August 2022 18:30
JK Rowling says ‘police are involved’ after receiving death threat following Salman Rushdie tweet
JK Rowling has told fans that police are involved after a tweet about Salman Rushdie prompted a death threat on Twitter.
The controversial Harry Potter author had expressed sympathy for Rushdie after he was stabbed onstage yesterday (12 August) at a literary event in New York.
On Saturday (13 August), it was reported that Rushdie was on a ventilator, having been rushed to hospital after the attack.
JK Rowling says police are involved after death threat reply to Salman Rushdie tweet
Response to Rowling’s message of support had read: ‘You are next’
Joe Middleton13 August 2022 18:00
ICYMI: Salman Rushdie’s attack is on everyone who believes Islam deserves special treatment
While the UK has stood by Rushdie all these years, we have seemingly given up on the free speech ideals that the author has stood for, writes Kunwar Khuldune Shahid.
Read Kunwar’s full piece here:
Opinion: Salman Rushdie’s attack is on everyone who gives Islam special treatment
While the UK has stood by Rushdie all these years, we have seemingly given up on the free speech ideals that the author has stood for
Joe Middleton13 August 2022 17:30
