In a shocking turn of events, the man accused of attempting to kill author Salman Rushdie now faces federal terrorism charges for his alleged support of Hezbollah, according to an unsealed indictment. Hadi Matar, already facing state charges for the knife attack on Rushdie, now faces life in prison if found guilty on the federal charges.
The grand-jury indictment charges Matar with three terrorism counts, including carrying out an act of terrorism and providing material support to Hezbollah. This came after a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death was issued in response to his controversial book, ‘The Satanic Verses’. The acclaimed novelist spent a decade in hiding following the fatwa.
Prosecutors allege that Matar was motivated by a speech by Hezbollah’s Secretary General endorsing the fatwa. Matar, a Shi’ite Muslim with Lebanese roots, has pleaded not guilty to the state charges and is currently detained in a New York prison awaiting trial.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the long-standing tensions and violence that can arise from ideological differences, even in the literary world.