Salman Rushdie - live: Iran condemned for ‘sickening’ statement blaming author for attack

Author, 75, was target of ‘fatwa’ by Iranian religious leaders over 1988 book The Satanic Verses

Author Salman Rushdie attacked on stage in New York

Iran has been condemned by a senior UK politician for its "sickening" claim that Sir Salman Rushie has no one to blame but himself for getting stabbed.

David Lammy, the UK's shadow foreign secretary, urged the government to urgently put "diplomatic pressure" on the Iranian government to apologise for the remarks.

"It is truly sickening that the Iranian government has the audacity to blame Salman Rushdie and his supporters for the brutal attack on his life," Mr Lammy said.

Earlier, Iran sought to distance itself from the attack.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that Sir Salman, attacked in New York state on Friday night as he prepared to deliver a lecture on freedom of expression,.

“Salman Rushdie and his supporters are to blame for what happened to him,” he said. “Freedom of speech does not justify Salman Rushdie’s insults upon religion and offence of its sanctities.”

A fatwa, or religious edict, calling on Muslims to kill the author was issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the then Iranian leader, in 1989 - a year after Satanic Versus was published. It was never revoked

Salman Rushdie attacked on stage

• Iran’s response to attack branded ‘sickening’
• Iran seeks to distance itself from attack, says Rushdie is to blame
• Suspect’s mother says he ‘changed’ after Middle East trip
• Author’s injuries ‘severe’ but he is ‘on road to recovery'
• Salman Rushdie is off ventilator and able to talk, agent confirms
• Suspect Hadi Matar charged with attempted murder, pleads not guilty

[13 August 2022 16:25 · Joe Middleton]

New Jersey man accused of stabbing author on stage is charged with attempted murder

The New Jersey man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage in New York state has been charged with attempted murder.

The alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree by the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Reuters reported.

Mr Matar, 24, was taken to Chautauqua County jail late on Friday night after he had been questioned by the authorities, Western New York News Now reported.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest.

[13 August 2022 17:00 · Joe Middleton]

Biden White House condemns ‘reprehensible’ stabbing

President Joe Biden’s White House has condemned the “reprehensible” stabbing of Salman Rushdie.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement: "Today, the country and the world witnessed a reprehensible attack against the writer Salman Rushdie.

"This act of violence is appalling. All of us in the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy recovery.

"We are thankful to good citizens and first responders for helping Mr. Rushdie so quickly after the attack and to law enforcement for its swift and effective work, which is ongoing."

[13 August 2022 17:30 · Joe Middleton]

ICYMI: Salman Rushdie’s attack is on everyone who believes Islam deserves special treatment

While the UK has stood by Rushdie all these years, we have seemingly given up on the free speech ideals that the author has stood for, writes Kunwar Khuldune Shahid.

Read Kunwar’s full piece here:

[13 August 2022 18:00 · Joe Middleton]

JK Rowling says ‘police are involved’ after receiving death threat following Salman Rushdie tweet

JK Rowling has told fans that police are involved after a tweet about Salman Rushdie prompted a death threat on Twitter.

The controversial Harry Potter author had expressed sympathy for Rushdie after he was stabbed onstage yesterday (12 August) at a literary event in New York.

On Saturday (13 August), it was reported that Rushdie was on a ventilator, having been rushed to hospital after the attack.

Louis Chilton reports.

[13 August 2022 18:30 · Joe Middleton]

Who is Salman Rushdie and why is he controversial?

[13 August 2022 19:00 · Holly Bancroft]

London Mayor Sadiq Khan ‘sickened’ by attack on Rushdie

[13 August 2022 19:29 · Holly Bancroft]

Suspected attacker denied bail from custody

The suspected attacker, 24-year-old Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, was transported and arraigned at Chautauqua County Jail on Saturday.

The man suspected of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie is being remanded in custody without bail after being charged with attempted murder and assault, New York state police have said.

[13 August 2022 19:29 · Holly Bancroft]

Breaking: Suspect enters not guilty plea - Associated Press

The suspect in the attack on ‘Satanic Verses’ author Salman Rushdie has entered a not-guilty plea in a New York court.

Hadi Matar, 24, has been charged with attempted murder and assault, prosecutors said on Saturday.

[13 August 2022 19:54 · Holly Bancroft]

Justin Trudeau joins political leaders expressing shock at Rushdie attack

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that the attack on author Salman Rushdie is a strike on the freedom of expression.

“No one should be threatened or harmed on the basis of what they have written. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” Trudeau said in a tweet.

(Getty Images)

[13 August 2022 21:04 · Holly Bancroft]

Read the latest news about the attack on Salman Rushdie here: