The “road to recovery has begun” for Salman Rushdie, who was the victim of a stabbing in western New York late last week, his agent, Andrew Wylie, has announced. But “it will be long because the injuries are serious”, did he say in a message to the British daily The Guardian.
Assaulted on August 12, during a conference in New York State, by Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old American of Lebanese origin, the writer received three stab wounds in the neck, four in the stomach, one to the right eye and to the chest, and one to the right thigh.
Salman Rushdie remained hospitalized in critical condition on Sunday, but freed from life support, he was able to speak a few words and “to show that his fiery and provocative sense of humor has remained intact”, according to the press release issued by his son, Zafar Rushdie, who nevertheless added that the injuries received go “change the life” from his father.
A “premeditated” assault, according to the prosecutor
On Saturday evening August 13, Hadi Matar, the alleged attacker, was charged with “attempted murder and assault”. Before a court in Chautauqua, where the facts took place, he pleaded not guilty to these charges by the voice of his court-appointed lawyer during an appearance during which the court refused his release on bail.
Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt told the judge the assault was “premeditated”Hadi Matar, having obtained in advance, by presenting himself under a false identity, a pass for the event where Salman Rushdie was to speak. “This was a targeted, unprovoked and premeditated attack on Mr. Rushdie,” said the prosecutor.
“The motive for the attack does not seem clear, souligne The Guardian. The suspect was born ten years after the publication of the satanic verses” and the fatwa launched against their author by lAyatollah Khomeini. His lawyer, Mr.e Barone, indicated after the hearing that Hadi Matar was talking with him and that he was going to seek to know more about his client, in particular about possible psychological problems or addiction to substances.