Salman Rushdie Testifies About Harrowing Knife Attack During Trial of Alleged Assailant

The author provided graphic testimony about the 2022 assault that left him blind in one eye and caused permanent injuries, as the trial of Hadi Matar continues in New York.

Salman Rushdie testified in a New York courtroom, recounting the brutal 2022 knife attack that left him with serious injuries, including blindness in one eye and nerve damage to his hand.
The alleged assailant, Hadi Matar, faces charges of attempted murder and assault; he has pleaded not guilty and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Rushdie described the attack in vivid detail, recalling intense pain, substantial blood loss, and the belief that he was dying as the assailant stabbed him multiple times on stage at a public event.
Bystanders, including audience members and event staff, subdued the attacker, preventing what prosecutors described as an almost successful attempt to kill Rushdie.
The trial, expected to last up to two weeks, has included testimony from witnesses and a focus on the severity of Rushdie's injuries, while the defense has argued that the case is not straightforward.