Sir Salman Rushdie appeared in court, describing the harrowing moments of his stabbing attack, where he believed he was on the verge of death. His testimony highlighted the dramatic impact of the incident on his life, including the loss of vision in one eye.
Salman Rushdie Testifies: 'I Thought I Was Dying' After Stabbing Attack
Salman Rushdie Testifies: 'I Thought I Was Dying' After Stabbing Attack
The acclaimed author recounts his near-fatal encounter during the trial of his alleged attacker.
Sir Salman Rushdie took the stand in a New York court to recount the life-threatening stabbing he endured while preparing to speak at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022. The renowned author expressed that in the immediate aftermath of the assault, he genuinely believed he was dying. His alleged attacker, 27-year-old Hadi Matar, faces serious charges, including attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty.
During his testimony, Rushdie detailed the day of the attack, where he described noticing an individual rushing toward him on stage moments after being introduced. He recalled the attacker dressed in dark clothing and wearing a face mask, with ferocious eyes. Rushdie initially perceived the first strike as a punch until he was shocked to see blood on his clothing.
The author's account detailed how he was stabbed a total of 15 times across his body, suffering severe wounds to his eye, neck, and torso. He described the pain associated with the blow to his eye as excruciating and revealed the devastating impact it has had on his life, stating, "There's no vision in the eye at all."
Rushdie spoke about his deep concern for his safety that had begun with the publication of his controversial novel, *The Satanic Verses*, which had led to a fatwa being issued against him. Despite having lived a relatively normal life for a time, as threats against him subsided, the attack at Chautauqua shattered that sense of security.
With emotional gravity, Rushdie expressed the critical moment when he realized he might not survive the assault. “It occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying - that was my predominant thought,” he testified. He described the scene of the attack, emphasizing the chaos as bystanders worked to subdue Matar, eventually saving his life.
Following the stabbing, Rushdie was airlifted to a trauma center, where he underwent treatment for 17 days. During cross-examination, the defense questioned his memory of the traumatic event, but Rushdie remained resolute about the details of his assault.
The trial will continue with several witnesses expected to testify, including medical professionals and law enforcement officers involved in the aftermath of the attack.
