Rushdie was stabbed more than twelve times in the head, neck, abdomen, back, thigh, and right hand and was close to losing his life. The attack took place in August 2022 in connection with a lecture in the state of New York in the USA.
The now-convicted Hadi Matar was arrested at the crime scene and has been detained since then. He has consistently denied the crime.
Matar, who has been convicted of attempted murder and assault, risks up to 25 years in prison. The verdict was handed down in a court in Chautauqua in western New York on Friday.
Hadi Matar has not testified during the trial, and his lawyers have not called any witnesses. The defense has questioned the testimony that Matar intended to kill the author.
Large amount of blood
Defense attorney Nathaniel Barone meant that the crime would have been considered less serious if it weren't for Salman Rushdie being a literary celebrity.
We believe that it has been classified as attempted murder because of the alleged victim's reputation, he said.
Salman Rushdie has testified that the attack on him and a moderator who was also on stage came suddenly and unexpectedly. He was stabbed several times in the chest and abdomen as he struggled to get away.
I first thought he was punching me with his fist, but I saw a large amount of blood flowing down my clothes. The stab wound in my eye hurt very badly, I screamed in pain and couldn't see with my eye, Rushdie said earlier during the trial.
Near death
Even Gregory Beard, the surgeon who treated the severely injured Salman Rushdie, has testified about the injuries the author had when he arrived at the hospital.
Beard described the severely damaged eye and other stab and slash wounds on the right side of his body, including in the neck. One of the stabs had damaged Rushdie's liver, another his intestine, and yet another had gone through the tendons and severed the nerves in his hand.
According to the surgeon, Rushdie could have died if he hadn't received proper care.
