MAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — The high-profile trial of Hadi Matar, accused of attempting to murder acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, commenced with jury selection on February 4, 2025. The trial, which had been delayed multiple times, is set to explore the events of August 12, 2022, when Matar, 27, allegedly rushed the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and stabbed Rushdie several times, causing severe injuries including the loss of his right eye and damage to his liver.

Matar, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Lebanon, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and second-degree assault. He has remained in custody without bail since his attack on Rushdie, who is expected to be one of the first witnesses to testify. During a pretrial hearing, District Attorney Jason Schmidt emphasized the clear, recorded nature of the assault, stating, “This isn’t a back-alley event that occurs unwitnessed in a dark alley” and highlighting that a large audience witnessed the attack.

The prosecution anticipates presenting video footage of the incident along with testimonies from approximately 15 witnesses. The trial is projected to last several weeks, with jurors likely to examine extensive evidence, including Rushdie’s memoir regarding the attack and his subsequent recovery, titled Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.

Defense attorney Nathaniel Barone has yet to disclose a detailed strategy for countering the charges, but he has rejected the notion of Matar accepting a plea deal, asserting the importance of due process and a fair trial. “If someone wants to exercise those rights, they’re entitled to do that,” Barone remarked, defending his client's decision to insist on a trial.

The indictment against Matar includes allegations of motivation linked to a fatwa issued by Iran’s former leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which called for Rushdie’s death after the publication of his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses. Although elements of motive tied to the fatwa may not be presented in the current state trial, Matar also faces federal charges including terrorism-related offenses connected to his actions.

The case has raised concerns about jury bias, especially given the ethnic and religious implications surrounding Matar’s background and the high publicity surrounding the trial. Matar’s legal team previously sought to move the trial to another venue, arguing that Chautauqua County, a small predominantly white rural community, may not offer an impartial jury.

During jury selection, all potential jurors confirmed they could be impartial despite the widespread knowledge of the case. However, many admitted to having formed opinions, complicating the jury selection process.

As the trial progresses, it unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tension between issues of free speech, religious extremism, and the ongoing impact of the fatwa on Rushdie's life. Rushdie, who had lived under threat since the late 1980s, expressed a deep emotional conflict about facing his alleged assailant in court, reflecting the complex interplay of personal safety and his commitment to confronting the individual responsible for such a brutal attack.

The trial continues to draw significant media attention, raising questions not only about the legal ramifications for Matar but also about the broader implications for artistic expression and safety in the face of extremist ideologies, as observed in VOA News.