MAYVILLE – The man who brutally attacked a world-renowned author at Chautauqua Institution nearly three years ago has been officially sentenced.

Friday morning, Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley sentenced Hadi Matar to 25 years for the attempted murder of Salman Rushdie on Aug. 12, 2022.

Rushdie, along with Henry Reece, was to give a presentation at the Institution when Matar jumped on stage and began stabbing Rushdie multiple times, including his eye, liver and neck. Following the attack Rushdie was on a ventilator for several days. To this day Rushdie no longer has use of his right eye and wears a patch over it.

During the attack on Rushdie, Reece was injured as well. The jury found Matar guilty of second-degree assault. Matar was sentenced to seven years for that attack, however the judge sentenced the two charges concurrently, adding that the law does not permit him to sentence Matar consecutively.

Before he was sentenced, Matar spoke to the court and expressed that Rushdie was disrespectful in his writings.

Some consider Rushdie’s book “The Satanic Verses,” which has been banned in Iran since it was published, blasphemous to Muslims.

Foley noted that he is concerned that if Matar was let out in 12 or 15 years he could attack Rushdie or another person again that he believes is disrespectful, which is why he sentenced him to the maximum.

Even though 27-year-old Matar has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars, it could be longer.

Matar is also facing federal charges, including attempting to provide material support to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization; engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries; and providing material support to terrorists.

If found guilty of the federal charges, Matar could be sentenced to life in prison.

See the full story in the weekend edition of The Post-Journal.