CHAUTAKOWA, NEW YORK Hadi Matar, the accused stabbing author Salman Rushdie, stated in an interview that he revered Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution that destroyed the shah’s administration, but he would not clarify whether his attack was prompted by a fatwa issued by the late Iranian leader. The New York Post was published today, Wednesday.
Matar told the newspaper that he had only read the first two chapters of Rushdie’s work The Satanic Verses and that he was inspired to attend his talk by a tweet advertising the author’s visit to the Chautacoa Foundation last winter.
According to authorities, Rushdie, 75, was supposed to give a lecture on artistic freedom at the Western New York university on Friday when Matar, 24, rushed to the stage and stabbed the Indian-born writer.
I respect the ayatollah. I believe he is a lovely person.
Matar claimed in a video interview from Chautacoa County Jail, “I won’t say anything else,” adding, “I never liked him.”
He (Salman Rushdie) has insulted Islam and its followers, he told an American publication, adding that he had viewed Rushdie’s YouTube broadcasts. Matar, according to the journal, denied any connection to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
Nathaniel Barron, Matars’ assigned attorney, stated that he was unaware that the New York Post had contacted his client for an interview.
I have not authorised any outside source, with or without government aid, to contact my client, he told Reuters.
Matar, of Fairview, New Jersey, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault at his court appearance on Saturday.
Iran denied any link between Hadi Matar and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, despite accolades from Iranian official media and regime loyalists.
Hadi Matar, who is from southern Lebanon, a bastion of Iran-backed Hezbollah, visited Beirut in 2018 and returned more devout, emphasising his responsibility for his acts.
Salman Rushdie’s attacker admits to adoring Khomeini.
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