A US federal jury has found Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing celebrated author Salman Rushdie in New York in 2022, guilty of federal terrorism-related charges. Matar, an American citizen, could now face up to life in prison.
The verdict
After a lengthy trial, the jury convicted Hadi Matar on terrorism-related charges. The trial took place in New York, and the court will now decide his sentence, which could go up to life imprisonment.
What happened in 2022
Salman Rushdie was stabbed at an event in New York in 2022. Testifying in court during the trial, Rushdie described the attack himself, saying, "He kept stabbing me, over and over."
The Hezbollah link
Hadi Matar has also been linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. That connection became a key thread in the case, adding weight to the terrorism-related charges brought against him.
What Rishi Sunak said
Soon after the attack in 2022, Rishi Sunak reacted to the incident, describing it as an episode that should serve as a wake-up call for the West against Iran.
What happens next
The court will now determine Hadi Matar's sentence. Following the guilty verdict on terrorism-related charges, he could face up to life in prison.
