Iran denies involvement in Salman Rushdie attack

UPDATE Monday: The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attack on Salman Rushdie, according to the Associated Press.

Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said in a press briefing to reporters on Monday: "We in the incident of the attack on Salman Rushdie in the United States do not consider not that anyone deserves to be blamed and accused except him and his supporters. No one has the right to accuse Iran in this regard."

UPDATE Sunday: Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie remains in critical condition, but retains his fiery sense of humor, his son Zafar Rushdie said in a statement.

"Following Friday's attack, my father remains in critical condition in hospital receiving intensive medical care. We are extremely relieved that yesterday he was taken off the ventilator and supplemental oxygen and that he was able to say a few words," the statement read.

"While his life-changing injuries are severe, his usual fiery and defiant sense of humor remains intact. We are so grateful to all members of the public who bravely stood up for him and administered first aid with the police and doctors who cared for him and for the outpouring of love and support from around the world. We ask for your continued patience and privacy as the family gathers at his bedside to support him and help him through this time,” Zafar Rushdie’s statement added.

Previously: Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie is on life support after he was attacked as he prepared to speak in western New York on Friday.

The author's agent, Andrew Wylie, said in a statement late Friday, "The news is not good." Wylie said the author was on a ventilator and couldn't speak. “Salman will probably lose an eye; the nerves in his arm were severed; and his liver was stabbed and damaged.”

Earlier: A statement from the New York State Police said: "On August 12, 2022, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a suspect ran onto the scene and attacked Rushdie and an investigator. Rushdie apparently was stabbed in the neck and was airlifted to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known."

"The interviewer sustained a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. More d Information will be released as it becomes available,” the statement added.

The suspect has been identified as Hadi Matar, 24, of New Jersey.

Rushdie was to give a talk at the Chautauqua Institution. The public was evacuated after the incident.

Rushdie suffered death threats for years after writing 'The Satanic Verses' (1988). The book has been banned in Iran since then and a $3.3 million bounty remains on the author's head. He wrote a book about being in hiding with a bounty on his head titled "Joseph Anton", the pseudonym he used while in hiding.

Deepa Mehta made a 2012 film based on Rushdie's most famous novel, "Midnight's Children", for which he won the Booker in 1981. A series adaptation of the book was announced by Netflix in 2018.

As an actor, Rushdie has appeared as himself in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Bridget Jones' Diary".

Rushdie is a former president of PEN America, who expressed "shock and horror" at the attack on the author.

“Salman Rushdie was targeted for his remarks for decades, but never flinched or wavered. He devoted tireless energy to helping those who were vulnerable and at risk,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, in a press release.

"While we do not know the origins or motives of this attack, anyone in the world who has encountered violent words or called for violence is guilty of legitimizing this assault on a writer when he was engaged in his essential work. to connect to readers. Our thoughts and passions now go out to our fearless Salman, wishing him a full and speedy recovery. We fervently hope and believe that his essential voice cannot and will not be silenced,” Nossel added.

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