Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP
Hadi Matar, 24, accused of the attempted murder of British author Salman Rushdie, at a procedural hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville, New York, on August 18. AFP

Witness protection request made in Salman Rushdie attack case


  • English
  • Arabic

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt has requested a protection order for witnesses in the coming trial against the man who attacked Sir Salman Rushdie.

Mr Schmidt also asked for more time for evidence in the case to be examined.

Hadi Matar, 24, on Wednesday appeared at a hearing at Chautauqua County Court in New York state for the fourth time, having pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges last month.

Judge David Foley scheduled another hearing for Friday, in which he is expected to issue a ruling on whether to grant more time to the DA’s office.

Mr Matar, of Fairview, New Jersey, was indicted on the charges by a grand jury after the incident on August 12.

He was arrested after allegedly rushing on to the stage at the Chautauqua Institution, stabbing Rushdie about a dozen times, including in the neck and an eye, in front of a crowd.

Salman Rushdie attacked - in pictures

  • A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
    A man stormed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution in the US state of New York and began assaulting Salman Rushdie as he was being introduced. AP
  • Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
    Rushdie, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in western New York. AP
  • Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
    Bloodstains mark a screen on the stage where Rushdie was attacked. AP
  • Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
    Rushdie, behind screen left, is tended to after being attacked on stage. AP
  • Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
    Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known. AP
  • Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
    Concerns about the author's security have been raised in the past. AP
  • Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
    Iranian women hold banners during a demonstration against Rushdie in Tehran. AFP
  • Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
    Pro-Iranian Hezbollah protesters burn an effigy of Rushdie in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP
  • Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters
    Though born in India, Rushdie has lived mostly between London and New York City. Reuters

He was later charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and one count of second-degree assault.

Judge Foley previously refused to grant Mr Matar bail.

Stand with Salman Rushdie event - in pictures

  • People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
    People attend a rally in support of author Salman Rushdie in New York. Getty Images / AFP
  • One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
    One week after Rushdie was stabbed while on stage, a gathering was held to read selected works by the British author outside the New York Public Library. AFP
  • Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie was attacked and stabbed multiple times while giving a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. Getty Images / AFP
  • His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
    His accused attacker pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. Getty Images / AFP
  • Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and president of freedom of speech non-profit PEN America, speaks in show of solidarity with Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
    Egan won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for A Visit From the Goon Squad. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie wrote the controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses'. Getty Images / AFP
  • Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    Police officers guard the steps of the New York Public Library to show support for Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
    Supporters carry home-made signs. Getty Images / AFP
  • The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
    The rally was held between the iconic New York Public Library lions. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie's attacker was named as Hadi Matar of New Jersey. Getty Images / AFP
  • US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
    US leaders, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken condemned the attack on Rushdie. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie made a name for himself in the US as a champion of free speech. Getty Images / AFP
  • Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
    Rushdie spent years under police protection after Iranian leaders called for his killing over his portrayal of Islam. Getty Images / AFP
  • Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
    Hasan Mujtaba, a poet of Pakistani origin, attends the event. Getty Images / AFP
  • Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
    Poet and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks. Getty Images / AFP
  • A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
    A man holds a sign that reads: #StandWithSalman. AFP
  • Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
    Though severely injured, Rushdie is recovering well, family members and friends say. AFP
  • A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP
    A police officer watches as writers gather to read Rushdie's works. Getty Images / AFP
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

The biog

Name: Capt Shadia Khasif

Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police

Family: Five sons and three daughters

The first female investigator in Hatta.

Role Model: Father

She believes that there is a solution to every problem

 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Updated: September 15, 2022, 12:58 AM