POLICE in Scotland said they are investigating an online threat made to author JK Rowling, after she tweeted about the stabbing of Salman Rushdie.
The author issued a tweet saying she had hoped Rushdie was okay after he was allegedly stabbed 10 times, and said she felt "very sick."
A user commented, "don't worry you are next."
The Harry Potter creator assured fans "To all sending supportive messages: thank you police are involved (were already involved on other threats)".
Rushdie was attacked as he spoke at the Chautauqua Institution, prosecutors said at the suspect's arraignment.
Hadi Matar, 24, of New Jersey has been charged with attempted murder and assault.
According to the New York Times, prosecutors said that the attack was premeditated and targeted at Rushdie.
Read our Salman Rushdie blog for news and updates…
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie always worried about safety
Avi Abraham Benlolo, founder and chairman of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, spoke with The U.S. Sun about the chilling warnings he allegedly received from an unknown caller who threatened to put “a bullet” in his head, for hosting an event with Rushdie.
“Because of that, I had to get in touch with police and they increased their presence around the gathering.”
He said Rushdie always feared for his own safety.
“He was concerned about his security but had to live his life. In my view, he was a real hero for projecting free thinking and he didn’t allow the Iranian dictatorship to stop him.”
“I’ve met many people; prime ministers, US presidents and he was one of the most prolific thinkers I’ve ever met. We talked about extremism and that’s what I think prompted this attack.”
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie on Al-Qaeda hit list in 2010
Anwar al-Awlaki published an Al-Qaeda hit list in Inspire magazine in 2010, which included Rushdie along with other individuals who were allegedly responsible for allegedly insulting Islam, according to a The Age article.
These individuals included Ayaan Hirsi Ali, cartoonist Lars Vilks, and three employees of the Jyllands-Posten: Kurt Westergaard, Carsten Juste, and Flemming Rose.
Later, the list was enlarged to include Stéphane “Charb” Charbonnier and 11 additional victims of the Paris terror attack on Charlie Hebdo. Al-Qaeda called for additional deaths following the assault.
- Leah Chiappino
Where is the Chautauqua Institution?
The town of Chautauqua is an affluent, scenic beauty near Lake Erie.
Up the road from The Institute is a park with luscious, manicured grass off Chautauqua Lake, which is a popular boating spot with a tugboat that provides visitors with rides around the lake.
Across the street is a golf club, and The Institute itself is a 150-year-old historic landmark.
The attack on Mr Rushdie is like "an attack in Mr Roger's Neighborhood," said Kristie, a longtime area resident whose dad went to Chautauqua every summer for 50 years.
Ms Morris had a message to share with the country.
"The person responsible for this violent attack and the hate it represents has no place at Chautauqua or anywhere," she said. "We will continue to convene and pursue our mission.
- Leah Chiappino
Chautauqua Institution's hero staffer
President of the facility Micheal Hill and Ms Hill acknowledged they have room to grow, Mr Hill applauded the staff's and attendees' bravery to stop the attacker.
He called it "some of the best humanity" coming together to stop the act of hate.
"I watched a member of our staff hurl themselves at the attacker.
I saw Chautauquans rush the stage to help secure the perpetrator, making it possible for police to remove him."I saw Chautauquans who are doctors and nurses rush to provide selfless care while the ambulance arrived.
"I saw what our Chaplain of the week, Terri Hord Owens, called us to possess: a generous, radical love for each other and this community."
When asked if The U.S. Sun can talk to the hero staffer, she said the staff doesn't wish to speak to the press.
- Leah Chiappino
Iranian lawmaker speaks out
Iranian lawmaker Malek Shariati Niasar has chillingly hinted the attack could have been the "direct work" of Iran as he branded Rushdie – who is at risk of losing an eye – an "apostate".
He said: "Attacking the renegade Salman Rushdie in America, if: 1. It should be Iran's work directly: proving the power of Islamic Iran.
"2. The work of a Muslim "Khomeini did not see" and be independent from Iran: exporting the revolution to the heart of the enemy
"3. Let America and England do their own work (!): a lesson in trusting the West.
"But in all three cases it is a warning to the killers of Martyr Soleimani."
- Leah Chiappino
Background of suspect
US law enforcement last night revealed an initial investigation suggested Matar is sympathetic to the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the New York Post reported.
He was born in the US to Lebanese parents who emigrated from Yaroun, a border village in southern Lebanon, said its mayor, Ali Tehfe.
- Leah Chiappino
Blood on walls at Chautauqua Institution
According to images from the scene, there were splatters of blood on the walls in the Chautauqua Insitute after the attack on author Salman Rushdie just before his lecture.
An Associated Press reporter saw a man approach the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and start “punching or stabbing” Rushdie.
The author was carried off or knocked to the ground, and the attacker was bound.
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie’s honors in the world of literature
Rushdie was chosen to be a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1983. In 1999, the French government named him Commandeur of l’Ordre des Arts and des Lettres, per his Wikipedia profile.
He received a knighthood in 2007 for his contributions to literature. He was placed thirteenth on The Times’ 2008 list of the top 50 British authors since 1945.
Rushdie has resided in the US since the year 2000. In 2015, the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University designated him Distinguished Writer in Residence.
He had previously taught at Emory University. The American Academy of Arts and Letters chose him for membership. In response to the uproar surrounding The Satanic Verses, he released Joseph Anton: A Memoir in 2012, which is an account of his life.
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie addressed the UN
Weeks before Friday's attack, Rushdie had spoken out about his "battle" with a story about a severed head in a speech.
He addressed the PEN America Emergency World Voices Congress of Writers at the United Nations and spoke about the Ukraine War.
During the speech, the author also accused the United States of "sliding back toward the Middle Ages" and slammed the resurgence of "bigoted ideas from centuries ago."
He said: "Meanwhile America is sliding back toward the Middle Ages, as white supremacy exerts itself not only over black bodies, but women’s bodies too.
"False narratives rooted in antiquated religiosity and bigoted ideas from centuries ago are used to justify this, and find willing audiences."
- Leah Chiappino
JK Rowling threatened
JK ROWLING has been sent a chilling death warning "you're next" after she posted support for Salman Rushdie.
Now Ms Rowling is working with the police after receiving a potential threat from a Twitter user.
The Harry Potter author, 57, shared screenshots to Twitter of a message from a user who had written "don't worry you are next" in response to her tweeting that she felt "very sick" after hearing the news and hoped the novelist would "be OK".
Rowling tagged Twitter's support account in the post and said: "Any chance of some support?"
She later updated her followers on the situation saying: "To all sending supportive messages: thank you.
"Police are involved (were already involved on other threats)."
- Leah Chiappino
JK Rowling threatened
JK ROWLING has been sent a chilling death warning "you're next" after she posted support for Salman Rushdie.
Now Ms Rowling is working with the police after receiving a potential threat from a Twitter user.
The Harry Potter author, 57, shared screenshots to Twitter of a message from a user who had written "don't worry you are next" in response to her tweeting that she felt "very sick" after hearing the news and hoped the novelist would "be OK".
Rowling tagged Twitter's support account in the post and said: "Any chance of some support?"
She later updated her followers on the situation saying: "To all sending supportive messages: thank you.
"Police are involved (were already involved on other threats)."
- Leah Chiappino
Rishi Sunak calls for sanctions on Iran
ISHI Sunak has demanded Iran is sanctioned after the brutal stabbing of Salman Rushdie.
The potential future Prime Minister believes the attack should be a “wake up call for the West” and has warned that the UK “can’t take the eye off the ball”.
- Leah Chiappino
What is Salman Rushdie's net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Salman Rushdie has an estimated net worth of approximately $10million, as of August 2022.
His main source of wealth is said to be from his career as a veteran novelist.
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie is on the mend
According to the Times, Rushie was on a ventilator and could not speak, his agent said.
His condition has since improved and he is off the ventilator and talking. and joking, his agent said Saturday.
- Leah Chiappino
When was Salman Rushdie married to Padma Lakshmi?
Salman Rushdie has reportedly been married to four women.
Padma Lakshmi was his fourth wife.
Salman married was married to Clarissa Luard from 1976 to 1987. After their divorce, Salman married Marianne Wiggins from 1988 to 1993.
Subsequently, he went on to marry Elizabeth West from 1997 to 2004.
- Leah Chiappino
Matar's neighbors speak out
Most of Matar’s neighbors told the New York Times they do not know him or his family.
Some recognized Matar from a photo and said he walks around with his head down and avoids eye contact
Antonio Lopa, a neighbor, told the Times said he saw upwards of 15 F.B.I. agents outside Matar’s home on Friday, into the early hours of the morning Saturday.
- Leah Chiappino
Matar in court
According to the New York Times, Matar sported a striped jumpsuit and was handcuffed and shackled.
He wore bright orange slide-on shoes and said nothing, the Times said.
Nathaniel Barone, his public defender, entered a not-guilty plea on Matar's behalf.
- Leah Chiappino
Planned attack
Hadi Matar, 24, of New Jersey has been charged with attempted murder and assault.
According to the New York Times, prosecutors said that the attack was premeditated and targeted at Rushdie.
Matar allegedly traveled to the location on a bus, purchasing a pass to get to Rushdie.
He is being held without bail.
- Leah Chiappino
No news on Rushdie's condition
Rsuhdie was airlifted to a Pennsylvania Hospital to be treated for his injures.
He was reportedly on a ventilator.
A spokesperson for he hospital told multiple news outlets they had now news on his condition on Sunday,
- Leah Chiappino
Why weren't there metal detectors at Chautauqua?
Questions have been raised about the security of the Chautauqua Institution, where the attack took place.
Namely, concerns revolved around reports of a lack of bag checks or metal detectors at the door.
Two sources at the institution told CNN leadership reportedly rejected such measures due to fears they would change the culture and "create a divide" between the speakers and audience members.
- Leah Chiappino
Biden condemns attack
President Biden released a statement on Saturday, condeming the alleged attack on Tuesday.
"We, together with all Americans and people around the world, are praying for his health and recovery," Biden said.
"I am grateful to the first responders and the brave individuals who jumped into action to render aid to Rushdie and subdue the attacker."
"Salman Rushdie—with his insight into humanity, with his unmatched sense for story, with his refusal to be intimidated or silenced—stands for essential, universal ideals."
"Truth. Courage. Resilience. The ability to share ideas without fear. These are the building blocks of any free and open society. And today, we reaffirm our commitment to those deeply American values in solidarity with Rushdie and all those who stand for freedom of expression. "
- Leah Chiappino
Security tightened at Chautauqua
As the US Sun has reported, Service workers are now required to have a photo ID and be processed at the site's ticket office for their proper credentials at the Chautauqua Institution
"Grounds access is limited to pass holders, those residing or on the grounds, and staff," President Michael E. Hill said.
Hill mentioned that "What we have experienced is unlike anything in our 150-year history."
The institution plans on continuing its 2022 summer conference series with new security measures to be announced soon.
- Leah Chiappino
Chautauqua Institution's president responds
President Michael E. Hill broke the institution's silence on the horrific incident that took place as Rushdie was set to speak in West New York, as well as coming advancements on the Chautauqua's security measures.
There will be time in the days and weeks ahead to reflect on all we’ve experienced, and we have already been working on how to adapt to yesterday's horror to ensure our conversations continue," Hill says in his statement.
"We will soon share operational details about how we will proceed through the remainder of the 2022 Summer Assembly.
In the interim, cancellations of the assembly and restrictions to the area have already taken place.
On Saturday, the program announced that "the 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. programs are canceled.
- Leah Chiappino
Not-guilty plea
Hadi Matar, the alleged suspect, was charged with second degreeassaultwith intent to cause physical injury with a deadly weapon, CNN reports.
He pleaded not guilty, Nathaniel Barone, his public defender, told the network.
Barone entered the not-guilty plea on Matar his behalf during an arraignment hearing in New York.
Matar appeared in court wearing a black and white jumpsuit and a white face mask. His hands were cuffed in front of him.
He was arraigned on the charges last night and remanded without bail, said the Chautauqua Co. DA’s office. New York state police said on Saturday that Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, was being detained at Chautauqua County Jail.
Barone also said Matar has been cooperative and communicating with him, but he did not disclose what was discussed.
- Leah Chiappino
Rushdie's horrific wounds
Rushdie was allegedly stabbed three times on the right side of his neck, times on his stomach, and once in his right eye.
He also allegedly received a wound to his chest and one to his right thigh,according to Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt, CNN reports.
Rushdie is at risk of losing his eye, according to his agent.
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