The alleged attacker of Salman Rushdie, a young American of Lebanese origin, was brought before a New York state judge before whom he pleaded “not guilty” of “attempted murder” of the writer.
Threatened with death since an Iranian “fatwa” in 1989, a year after the “Satanic Verses” were published, Salman Rushdie was stabbed a dozen times on Friday. This Sunday, he was no longer on life support and appeared to be doing better, according to his agent.
A premeditated attack according to prosecutors
During a court hearing in Chautauqua, 24-year-old Hadi Matar, charged with “attempted murder and assault,” appeared in a black and white striped prison uniform, handcuffed and masked, and did not say a word, according to to the US media and photos from the local press.
Prosecutors said Friday’s attack on a cultural center in Chautauqua, where Salman Rushdie was to give a talk, was premeditated. The suspect, who lives in New Jersey, pleaded “not guilty” by the voice of his lawyer and will appear again on August 19.
The attack caused a stir, especially in Western countries: US President Joe Biden condemned “a brutal attack” and paid tribute to Salman Rushdie for his “refusal to be intimidated and silenced”.
Source: BFM TV
