Who is Hadi Matar, the man who attacked Salman Rushdie, read everything about him

The attack on the famous English language writer Salman Rushdie in New York on Friday surprised everyone.  Mumbai-born and Booker Prize winner Rushdie was about to begin his lecture at an event in Chautauqua, western New York, when a man stepped onto the stage and punched Rushdie and attacked him with a knife.  Rushdie suffered a neck injury in the attack.  Salman Rushdie's attacker has been identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar, a resident of New Jersey.  New York police have not yet filed charges against the attacker.

Police said the charges against Hadi Matar would depend on Rushdie's condition.  After the attack, the police took the attacker into custody.  According to police, Hadi Matar attacked Salman Rushdie at least once in the throat and in the stomach shortly after he reached the stage to deliver a speech.  Hadi Matar lives in Fairview across the Hudson River in Manhattan.  New York police said Hadi Matar had a pass to attend Salman Rushdie's lecture.  Police said the motive behind Matar's attack was not clear.  It is also believed that he carried out this attack alone.

FBI is investigating the case

Police said Salman Rushdie fell on the stage after the attack and was seen with blood on his hands.  New York Police said that such an incident has never happened in the last 150 years.  We all have to stay with Salman Rushdie's family.  New York State Police said the FBI is assisting with the investigation and is still in its early stages.  Police have recovered a bag and some electronic devices from the spot.

Hadi Matar is a supporter of the Iranian government

Some reports claimed Hadi Matar was sympathetic to the Iranian government which called for Rushdie's death.  His Facebook account apparently has a picture of Iran's leader Ayatollah Khomeini, who issued a fatwa against Salman Rushdie in 1989.  According to NBC News, Hadi Matar had posted on social media in support of Iran and its Revolutionary Guard and in support of Shia extremism.

Hadi Matar punched Salman Rushdie in the face 10-15 times

Police said Hadi Matar was wearing black clothes, along with a black mask on his face.  This has been confirmed by a person present there.  Eyewitnesses said that when the attacker came on stage, they thought it was a public stunt, as Salman Rushdie has been a controversial figure, but after a few seconds it became clear that it was a deadly attack.  According to a reporter present at the event, Salman Rushdie was punched 10 to 15 times on stage as well as stabbed.  Henry Reese, who conducted the program, said that he had suffered a minor head injury, as he had also been attacked.