Salman Rushdie attacker convicted of terror offenses
Hadi Matar has been convicted in a US federal court of providing material support to the terrorist group Hezbollah and engaging in transnational terrorism. The conviction follows his previous sentencing for the 2022 stabbing attack on author Sir Salman Rushdie.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing legal and security implications of the 1989 fatwa against Salman Rushdie and the role of international terrorist organizations in inciting violence against individuals.
Image source, Getty Images By Max Matza Published 29 July 2026, 23:13 BST Updated 15 minutes ago A US man who is already serving 25 years in prison for attempting to kill Sir Salman Rushdie has been convicted of additional charges, including providing material support to a terrorist group.
Hadi Matar was convicted in a New York federal court on Wednesday of providing assistance to Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed faction which is designated as a terrorist group by the US, UK and many other countries.
Prosecutors argued that Matar was motivated by a fatwa, a religious edict, issued by Iran's religious leader in 1989 for Rushdie's death.
The award-winning author testified during the trial, describing the attack and crediting a firefighter with saving his life by providing medical care.
The jury convicted Matar of engaging in an act of transnational terrorism and providing material support to Hezbollah.
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