'Once I heard he survived, I used to be stunned': Salman Rushdie's attacker - Report | World News

Days after creator Salman Rushdie suffered severe stab wounds after he was assaulted in New York, the person - accused of attacking him - has stated that he was stunned that Rushdie survived. "Once I heard he survived, I used to be stunned, I suppose," 24-year-old Hadi Matar advised the New York Publish.

He additionally expressed his displeasure with the 75-year-old creator who has confronted loss of life threats - over time - for writing "The Satanic Verses', which has been accused of blasphemy. Nonetheless, he additionally clarified that he was not impressed by the 1989 edict, or fatwa, issued below Iran's former supreme chief Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in opposition to Rushdie. "I respect Ayatollah. I feel he is an amazing particular person. That is so far as I'll say about that," stated Matar, who in response to the Publish, was suggested by his lawyer to not focus on the problem. Within the first interview for the reason that assault, Matar additionally stated that he has learn "a few pages" of the controversial e book. "I do not just like the particular person. I do not assume he is an excellent particular person," he stated.

He described Rushdie as "somebody who attacked Islam". He attacked their (Muslims') beliefs, the idea system," Matar added within the interview. Rushdie, 75, was stabbed Friday whereas attending an occasion in western New York. He suffered a broken liver and severed nerves in an arm and a watch, his agent stated. He was more likely to lose the injured eye. His situation remains to be severe whereas he's off ventilator. Matar was arrested instantly after the assault from the venue and was handed over to police. He's charged with tried homicide and assault and has pleaded not responsible within the courtroom. He's now set to look in courtroom on Friday.

'Outdoors the entire time'

Within the New York Publish interview, Matar additionally stated that he had learnt Rushdie would converse on the Chautauqua Establishment's literary collection by way of a tweet earlier this 12 months. He advised the Publish he had taken a bus to Buffalo someday previous to the assault, earlier than taking a Lyft to Chautauqua. After this he was "hanging round just about, not doing something specifically... simply strolling round," Matar stated.

'More and more fixated on Islam'

On Monday, Matar's mom, Lebanese-born Silvana Fardos of Fairview, New Jersey, gave an interview to an area British each day. Within the interview, she described Matar as "a moody introvert" who grew to become more and more fixated on Islam after visiting Lebanon to see his estranged father.

(With AFP inputs)