Federal Jury Convicts Rushdie Attacker on Hezbollah Terror Charges

Federal jurors convicted Hadi Matar on all three terrorism counts stemming from his 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. The verdict covers attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, and providing material support to terrorists. Prosecutors said Matar spent more than a year studying Iran's 1989 fatwa against Rushdie and Hezbollah's endorsement before attacking him at a New York speaking event. Rushdie was stabbed 15 times and lost sight in his right eye; Matar, already serving a 25-year state sentence, faces up to life in federal prison when sentenced November 3.