Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP

World

US

Witness protection request made in Salman Rushdie attack case

District attorney makes request to keep the identities of witnesses secret

The National

September 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt has requested a protection order for witnesses in the coming trial against the man who attacked Sir Salman Rushdie.

Mr Schmidt also asked for more time for evidence in the case to be examined.

Hadi Matar, 24, on Wednesday appeared at a hearing at Chautauqua County Court in New York state for the fourth time, having pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges last month.

Judge David Foley scheduled another hearing for Friday, in which he is expected to issue a ruling on whether to grant more time to the DA’s office.

Mr Matar, of Fairview, New Jersey, was indicted on the charges by a grand jury after the incident on August 12.

He was arrested after allegedly rushing on to the stage at the Chautauqua Institution, stabbing Rushdie about a dozen times, including in the neck and an eye, in front of a crowd.

Salman Rushdie attacked - in pictures

A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters
Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters

He was later charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and one count of second-degree assault.

Judge Foley previously refused to grant Mr Matar bail.

Stand with Salman Rushdie event - in pictures

People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP
A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP
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Updated: September 15, 2022, 12:58 AM`
USCrime