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As it happenedended1660511236

Salman Rushdie - live: Author’s ‘feisty sense of humour intact’ despite ‘severe injuries’

Author, 75, was target of ‘fatwa’ by Iranian religious leaders over 1988 book The Satanic Verses

Matt Mathers
Sunday 14 August 2022 22:07 BST
Author Salman Rushdie attacked on stage in New York

Sir Salman Rushdie’s “feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact”, his son Zafar said as the author is being treated for severe injuries in hospital after being stabbed.

Earlier the author’s agent said he was on the road to recovery after the incident in New York on Friday.

Sir Salman, 75, has been taken off life support and is “on the road to recovery,” his agent Andrew Wylie said.

He wrote in an email: “He’s off the ventilator, so the road to recovery has begun. It will be long; the injuries are severe, but his condition is headed in the right direction.”

Hadi Matar, 24, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder on Saturday after Sir Salman was stabbed multiple times before he was scheduled to deliver a lecture on the importance of freedom of expression.

Jason Schmidt, Chautauqua County District attorney, refused Matar bail. He is due to appear in court again on Friday. “This was a targeted, unprovoked, pre-planned attack on Mr Rushdie,” the judge said.

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New Jersey man accused of stabbing author on stage is charged with attempted murder

The New Jersey man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage in New York state has been charged with attempted murder.

The alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree by the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Reuters reported.

Mr Matar, 24, was taken to Chautauqua County jail late on Friday night after he had been questioned by the authorities, Western New York News Now reported.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest.

Man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie charged with attempted murder

The New Jersey man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage in New York state has been charged with attempted murder.

Joe Middleton13 August 2022 16:25
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Biden White House condemns ‘reprehensible’ stabbing

President Joe Biden’s White House has condemned the “reprehensible” stabbing of Salman Rushdie.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement: "Today, the country and the world witnessed a reprehensible attack against the writer Salman Rushdie.

"This act of violence is appalling. All of us in the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy recovery.

"We are thankful to good citizens and first responders for helping Mr. Rushdie so quickly after the attack and to law enforcement for its swift and effective work, which is ongoing."

Joe Middleton13 August 2022 17:00
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ICYMI: Salman Rushdie’s attack is on everyone who believes Islam deserves special treatment

While the UK has stood by Rushdie all these years, we have seemingly given up on the free speech ideals that the author has stood for, writes Kunwar Khuldune Shahid.

Read Kunwar’s full piece here:

Opinion: Salman Rushdie’s attack is on everyone who gives Islam special treatment

While the UK has stood by Rushdie all these years, we have seemingly given up on the free speech ideals that the author has stood for

Joe Middleton13 August 2022 17:30
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JK Rowling says ‘police are involved’ after receiving death threat following Salman Rushdie tweet

JK Rowling has told fans that police are involved after a tweet about Salman Rushdie prompted a death threat on Twitter.

The controversial Harry Potter author had expressed sympathy for Rushdie after he was stabbed onstage yesterday (12 August) at a literary event in New York.

On Saturday (13 August), it was reported that Rushdie was on a ventilator, having been rushed to hospital after the attack.

Louis Chilton reports.

JK Rowling says police are involved after death threat reply to Salman Rushdie tweet

Response to Rowling’s message of support had read: ‘You are next’

Joe Middleton13 August 2022 18:00
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Who is Salman Rushdie and why is he controversial?

Who is Salman Rushdie and why is he controversial?
Joe Middleton13 August 2022 18:30
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London Mayor Sadiq Khan ‘sickened’ by attack on Rushdie

Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:00
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Suspected attacker denied bail from custody

The suspected attacker, 24-year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, was transported and arraigned at Chautauqua County Jail on Saturday.

The man suspected of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie is being remanded in custody without bail after being charged with attempted murder and assault, New York state police have said.

Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:29
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Breaking: Suspect enters not guilty plea - Associated Press

The suspect in the attack on ‘Satanic Verses’ author Salman Rushdie has entered a not-guilty plea in a New York court.

Hadi Matar, 24, has been charged with attempted murder and assault, prosecutors said on Saturday.

Man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie charged with attempted murder

“This is the very early stage of what will invariably be a protracted legal process,” DA says

Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:29
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Justin Trudeau joins political leaders expressing shock at Rushdie attack

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that the attack on author Salman Rushdie is a strike on the freedom of expression.

“No one should be threatened or harmed on the basis of what they have written. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” Trudeau said in a tweet.

(Getty Images)
Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 19:54
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Read the latest news about the attack on Salman Rushdie here:

Man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie charged with attempted murder

“This is the very early stage of what will invariably be a protracted legal process,” DA says

Holly Bancroft13 August 2022 21:04

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