British-American author Salman Rushdie, originally from India, was brutally attacked on August 12, 2022, while speaking at an event in New York. Hadi Matar, who stormed the stage, stabbed Rushdie 12 times, causing severe injuries to his head, neck, hand, liver, and intestines. Rushdie lost vision in one eye and the use of one hand.
The attack is believed to be linked to longstanding outrage over Rushdie’s 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, which sparked protests and death threats from Islamic extremists.
This week, a New York court sentenced Matar to 25 years in prison for the violent assault.