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Defendant in Salman Rushdie stabbing declines to testify in terrorism trial

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The man on trial in the stabbing of Salman Rushdie chose Tuesday not to testify or call any witnesses in the federal terrorism case, which is expected to head to the jury as soon as Wednesday. Hadi Matar’s lawyer told the court that the 28-year-old — who already has been convicted of state-level attempted murder charges — wouldn’t take the stand at his trial on charges that include engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. “At this time, the defense rests,” attorney Nathaniel Barone said. Matar has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors also rested their case Tuesday, and closing arguments are expected Wednesday morning.

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Scoop News DeskAlbuquerque, New Mexico area (publisher market; exact incident location not stated) · Published Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 5:09 PM UTCUpdated Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 8:53 PM UTC

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Spectators and another speaker, Henry Reese, scrambled to aid Rushdie and restrain the assailant, who was arrested by law enforcement officers assigned to the event. 1 dead — him and left him He initially gave authorities a fake driver’s license, but Matar soon disclosed his real name to a state trooper, according the trooper’s testimony and body camera video.

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Version 5updated
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 8:35 PM UTC
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The man on trial in the stabbing of Salman Rushdie chose Tuesday not to testify or call any witnesses in the federal terrorism case, which is expected to head to the jury as soon as Wednesday. Hadi Matar’s lawyer told the court that the 28-year-old — who already has been convicted of state-level attempted murder charges — wouldn’t take the stand at his trial on charges that include engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. “At this time, the defense rests,” attorney Nathaniel Barone said. Matar has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors also rested their case Tuesday, and closing arguments are expected Wednesday morning.
Version 6unpublished
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 8:53 PM UTC
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