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Hadi Matar, suspect in Salman Rushdie stabbing, pleads not guilty to attempted murder, assault

The suspect in the upstate stabbing of Salman Rushdie pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Saturday afternoon, during which the prosecutor detailed an extensive list of the famed writer’s injuries.

Hadi Matar, 24, was charged with attempted murder and assault and entered the plea during a proceeding at the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville — after news outlets, including The Post, pushed to open the court appearance to the public. 

He allegedly rushed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution Friday morning where Rushdie, 75, was beginning a lecture on freedom of expression.

Hadi Matar arrives for an arraignment in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville on Saturday. AP
Matar, 24, entered a not-guilty plea on charges of attempted murder and assault. AP

“This was a targeted, pre-planned unprovoked attack on Mr. Rushdie,” said Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt during the arraignment.

He said Rushdie suffered three stab wounds to the right side of his neck; four in the stomach; a puncture wound to his right eye, which he may lose; two puncture wounds to his chest; and a laceration to his right thigh.

He was airlifted to UPMC Harmot hospital in Erie, Pa.

Law enforcement officers detain suspect Hadi Matar outside the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York on Aug. 12, 2022. Charles Fox via AP

Matar, who lives in Fairview, NJ, took a bus to Chautauqua, Schmidt said, adding the suspect bought a pass to the educational institute two days before Friday’s event and arrived at least a day before it.

 “He didn’t bring a wallet. He had cash, pre-paid Visa cards with him. He had false identification with him,” Schmidt said.

The DA told Judge Marilyn Gerace about the 1989 fatwa, or religious edict, against Rushdie by the Iranian government under then leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Rushdie is taken to a helicopter after being attacked during a lecture in upstate New York Friday. Horatio Gates

“That plays an important role for bail consideration because his resources don’t matter to me … the agenda that was carried out yesterday is something that’s adopted and sanctioned by larger groups and organizations well beyond jurisdictional borders of Chautauqua County,” Schmidt said in asking for Matar to be held without bail.

“Even if this court sets a million dollar bail, we stand a risk that this bail could be met because of that,” the prosecutor contended. 

Gerace sent Matar to jail without bail. He is due back in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

Local police and FBI block the area around the home of suspect Hadi Matar in Fairview, NJ, on Aug. 12, 2022. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey

Matar, who wore orange shoes, a black and white jumpsuit and had his hands shackled in the front, said only his name, “yes,” when asked if his address was correct and “understood” when told to notify the court if that changed. He briefly glanced back to take in the courtroom.

Matar’s lawyer, Nathaniel Barone, said after the proceeding that his client had no criminal record and had been “very cooperative” with him.

An initial investigation suggested Matar made social media posts in support of Iran and its Revolutionary Guard, and in support of Shi’a extremism more broadly, law enforcement sources told The Post. 

Attendants rush to aid author Salman Rushdie (right) while police arrest suspect Hadi Matar (left) at the Chautauqua Institution. AP

The DA’s office said earlier it had been “in touch with our counterparts in the state of New Jersey where the attacker is from to share information and assist them in helping us to better understand the planning and preparation which preceded the attack so that we and the different agencies involved can determine what, if any, additional charges should be asserted.”

President Biden Saturday issued a statement saying he and First Lady Jill Biden “were shocked and saddened to learn of the vicious attack on Salman Rushdie yesterday in New York. We, together with all Americans and people around the world, are praying for his health and recovery.”

Outside Matar’s Fairview home Saturday neighbors said the FBI and police had been on the block Friday and that the family was quiet.

“I was very, very surprised, you know, they don’t talk to nobody,” said Antonio Lopa, 70.
Another neighbor said he had noticed Matar walking around.

“He doesn’t look like a normal person. He just looked weird. He walks with his head down,” he said

Additional reporting by Dean Balsamini, Isabel Vincent and Georgett Roberts