Salman Rushdie Testifies on Harrowing Attack Experience

In a gripping testimony, Salman Rushdie relayed his traumatic experience of being stabbed on stage, providing insight into the harrowing moments that followed.

Sir Salman Rushdie took to the witness stand in a New York court, sharing bleak details of the brutal attack he endured on August 12, 2022. The beloved British-Indian author testified in the trial of Hadi Matar, the 27-year-old man accused of assault and attempted murder. Matar has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The proceedings opened with Sir Salman recounting the chaotic moments leading up to the attack while he prepared to speak at the Chautauqua Institution. He described how the assailant, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a mask, rushed toward him. Initially mistaking the first impact as a punch, Rushdie was soon aware that he was being violently stabbed multiple times.

Recalling the timeline, the 77-year-old author detailed how he was struck a total of 15 times, suffering severe injuries that ultimately left him blind in one eye. As he controlled his emotions on the stand, he revealed that his injuries extended to his neck, chest, and thigh, as well as his left hand while trying to defend himself. The attack happened in mere seconds, and Rushdie vividly described the moment he realized the severity of his wounds, feeling engulfed in a “lake of blood.”

In a poignant moment during his testimony, Rushdie displayed the effects of the attack when he removed his glasses to show the jury his damaged eye, stating plainly, “there’s no vision in the eye at all.” The trial also highlighted the ongoing psychological aftermath of his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, which incited multiple death threats and forced Rushdie into hiding for nearly a decade.

As his wife, Lady Rushdie, cried silently in the audience, Rushdie shared his feelings of fear and vulnerability, which resurfaced sharply following the attack, despite years of living a life that once felt "relatively normal."

The testimony brought to light the urgency of the situation, as Rushdie expressed his deep concern for his safety after the stabbing shattered any sense of security he had regained. He described the bystanders who intervened during the attack as critical to his survival, affirming their bravery.

The court also heard cross-examination from Matar’s lawyer, challenging Rushdie's recollections based on the trauma he suffered. Rushdie firmly maintained his account of events, underscoring the cold reality of his injuries.

The trial continues, with more witnesses, including medical professionals and law enforcement, expected to provide their accounts of the attack and the aftermath.