Hadi Matar, who attacked writer Salman Rushdie in 2022, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a New York judge after being found guilty. His attack, which left Rushdie blind in one eye, occurred during a public lecture where Rushdie was discussing safety for persecuted writers. Matar, who did not attend the sentencing hearing, faced a maximum sentence. He made a statement in court blaming Rushdie for promoting disrespect. Matar also awaits trial on additional terrorism-related charges, further complicating his legal situation.
"Before being sentenced, Matar stood up in the courtroom and made a statement about freedom of expression, calling Rushdie a hypocrite, according to the Associated Press."
"The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison for that crime, but the sentence runs concurrently, so the length of his term is not affected."
"On the morning of August 12, 2022, Matar abruptly burst onto the stage of the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie, seated in a semicircle with other participants, was to give a lecture."
"The attack left the 77-year-old novelist blind in his right eye and also injured the tendons of his left hand, which he used to defend himself."
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