Novelist Salman Rushdie recalls ‘lake of blood’ in testimony against his attacker
After years in hiding, Rushdie resumed a normal life, making public appearances and ditching his armed security.That normality was shattered Aug 12, 2022, when a young, disillusioned man rushed onstage in western New York, where Rushdie was giving a talk, and stabbed him 15 times. The attack left the author blind in one eye, with damaged nerves and scars all over his body.On July 23, Rushdie, 79, recalled in harrowing detail how he encountered his stabber, Hadi Matar. Lynch, a federal prosecutor, instructed Rushdie to remove the distinctive eye glasses he has worn since the attack.
- ▪After years in hiding, Rushdie resumed a normal life, making public appearances and ditching his armed security.That normality was shattered Aug 12, 2022, when a young, disillusioned man rushed onstage in western New York, where Rushdie was
- ▪The attack left the author blind in one eye, with damaged nerves and scars all over his body.On July 23, Rushdie, 79, recalled in harrowing detail how he encountered his stabber, Hadi Matar.
- ▪Lynch, a federal prosecutor, instructed Rushdie to remove the distinctive eye glasses he has worn since the attack.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Novelist Salman Rushdie recalls ‘lake of blood’ in testimony against his attackerSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe Iranian government in 1989 called for the death of Indian-British novelist Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed 15 times while giving a speech in 2022. PHOTO: AFPMark Sommer, Santul NerkarPublished Jul 24, 2026, 08:17 AMUpdated Jul 24, 2026, 08:24 AMSet as preferred sourceListenSummariseSalman Rushdie testified about his 2022 stabbing, describing severe injuries including blindness in one eye and a "lake of blood," after attacker Hadi Matar stabbed him 15 times.Matar is on federal trial accused of terrorism and acting under Hezbollah's direction, while his lawyer denies these claims, stressing personal motives.Rushdie, once forced into hiding by an…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.