Hadi Matar, suspect in Salman Rushdie stabbing, pleads not guilty to attempted murder, assault

The suspect in the upstate stabbing of writer Salman Rushdie pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Saturday afternoon.

Hadi Matar, 24, was charged with attempted murder and assault. He entered the plea during a proceeding at the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville.

He allegedly rushed the stage at the Chau

“We have been in touch with our counterparts in the State of New Jersey where the attacker is from to share information and assist them in helping us to better understand the planning and preparation which preceded the attack so that we and the different agencies involved can determine what, if any, additional charges should be asserted,” the DA’s office said. “We will try to be as transparent as we can without compromising the case.”

An initial investigation suggested Matar made social media posts in support of Iran and its Revolutionary Guard, and in support of Shi’a extremism more broadly, law enforcement sources told The Post. 

Matar is expected to be arraigned Saturday afternoon at the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville.

tauqua Institution Friday morninMatar was transferred to the Chautauqua County Jail in Mayville from the New York State Police barracks in Jamestown after the attack.g where Rushdie, 75, was beginning a lecture on freedom of expression.