• Salman Rushdie described his harrowing experience during the trial against Hadi Matar, who is accused of attempting to murder him in 2022.
• The author recounted the brutal attack, which left him blind in one eye and with life-altering injuries.
• Matar's lawyers have not disputed his presence at the attack but claim there's insufficient evidence of intent for attempted murder.

In a highly anticipated trial now underway, Salman Rushdie took the stand to detail the traumatic events of August 2022, when he was savagely attacked by Hadi Matar during a literary event at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. The 77-year-old author, known for his widely acclaimed works including "The Satanic Verses," recounted his experience in graphic detail, illustrating both the physical harm inflicted as well as the emotional turmoil that ensued.

During his testimony, Rushdie conveyed that he initially believed he was being punched when he was struck down with a knife. “I was aware of someone wearing dark clothes and a black face mask,” he testified, recalling, “I only saw him at the last minute.” The assault happened quickly; soon, he was confronted with a “large quantity of blood pouring onto my clothes.” Prosecutors allege that Matar stabbed Rushdie approximately 10 to 15 times, which included a particularly severe blow to his eye that resulted in the loss of vision for that eye.

“It occurred to me that I was dying,” Rushdie stated, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the attack, which left him in a “lake of blood.” The ordeal has significantly affected his health, requiring him to spend 17 days in the hospital and weeks in rehabilitation. He explained, “I think I’m not quite at 100%. I think I’ve substantially recovered but it’s probably 75-80%. I’m not as energetic as I used to be.” He mentioned scars that still remind him of that day, expressing gratitude towards bystanders and officials who intervened to save his life.

The trial, expected to last around two weeks, has not focused on the broader implications of Rushdie’s past threats and the historical fatwa issued against him by Iran in 1989, which has been a pivotal point in his life since the publication of his controversial novel. Instead, this case is centered on the violent assault at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was set to discuss writer safety. Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempted murder and assault, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted. His defense has raised questions about whether the prosecution can convincingly express the intention behind Matar’s actions.

This tragic incident has reopened discussions about free speech and the lengths individuals will go to silence controversial voices. For Rushdie, the attack was a brutal reminder of the threats lingering over him, threats he had thought had diminished over time. As he returns to the courtroom to face the man who attacked him, the tension is palpable, encapsulating broader societal battles over freedom of expression and the consequences of literary critique.

For further details, read the full coverage on the assault from India Times, Los Angeles Times, and many other reputable sources.