Sir Salman Rushdie: The author of Satanic Verses ‘got an obvious stab wound to the neck’ at event in New York | US News
Author Sir Salman Rushdie, whose work resulted in death threats, was apparently stabbed in the neck while performing on stage at an event in New York state.
The British-Indian author was taken to hospital by helicopter, but his condition is unknown.
The 75-year-old was preparing to give a presentation when a man burst onto the stage at the Chautauqua Institute and began attacking Sir Salman as he was being introduced, according to an AP reporter present.
Sir Salman Rushdie was taken to hospital
The novelist, who is also a US citizen, was arrested or fell to the floor, and the suspect was subdued. He is currently in custody.
Authorities said the interviewer at the event suffered a minor head injury after being assaulted.
Sir Salman, who was behind a screen, was cared for after he was attacked. Photo: AP
In a statement, state police said they were “investigating the assault on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, NY”.
“At around 11 a.m., a male suspect ran onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was airlifted to an area hospital.”
They added: “The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately apprehended the suspect. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance at the scene.”
A video posted online showed several people rushing onto the stage shortly after as Sir Salman was taken care of.
A photo circulating on social media appeared to show Sir Salman with his legs slightly raised and someone pressing on his stomach.
On the stage there are two yellow chairs, a table and a rug.
Dozens of spectators were present.
Image of Salman Rushdie in 2018
His book, The Satanic Verses, has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it blasphemous.
A year later, the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a decree, or Fatwa, calling for the death of Sir Salman.
Photo: AP
The Middle Eastern country also offers a bounty of more than $3 million to anyone who kills Rushdie.
In 1998, President Mohammad Khatami’s pro-reform government of Iran broke away from Fatwa, saying the threat to Rushdie was over after he had lived in seclusion for nine years.
The book’s Japanese translator was stabbed to death in 1991 and others involved in the book’s publication were attacked.
But Ayatollah Khomeini’s successor as Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in 2005 that Fatwa was still in force and that three hardline clerics urged followers to kill Rushdie.
