Hadi Matar, who is accused of repeatedly stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie on Friday, turned into a religious zealot after a month-long trip to Lebanon, his mother has revealed

In an exclusive interview with the MailOnline, Silvana Fardos said her outgoing American-raised son became moody and introverted following a visit to see his father in 2018.

“I was expecting him to come back motivated, to complete school, to get his degree and a job,” she told the publication.

“But instead he locked himself in the basement. He had changed a lot, he didn’t say anything to me or his sisters for months.”

Ms Fardos said her son locked himself away in the basement of the family home in New Jersey, banning her from entering.

“One time he argued with me, asking why I encouraged him to get an education instead of focusing on religion. He was angry that I did not introduce him to Islam from a young age,” she said.

Matar is also believed to have had contact with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Vice World News reported.

A Middle Eastern intelligence official told the outlet it was “clear” that Matar had been in direct contact with “people either directly involved with or adjacent to the Quds Force” via social media.

However, the extent of the involvement in the attack remained unclear, the source added.

Ms Fardos described her son as very quiet, expressing disbelief that he was capable of carrying out such an attack. “As I said to the FBI, I’m not going to bother talking to him again. He’s responsible for his actions,” she added.

The 24-year-old appeared in court on Saturday where he pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault.

Meanwhile Sir Salman’s son, Zafar said the author’s “usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact” despite suffering life-changing injuries.

In a statement, Mr Rushdie confirmed that his father, who was attacked as he prepared to give a lecture in upstate New York on Friday, has been taken off a ventilator.

The author, who remains in a critical condition, was able to say a few words, Mr Rushdie added.

He also paid tribute to members of the audience who “bravely leapt to his defence and administered first aid”.

Mr Rushdie’s update came within hours of Andrew Wylie, Sir Salman’s agent, confirming earlier reports that Sir Salman’s condition was improving.

“He’s off the ventilator, so the road to recovery has begun,” Mr Wylie told Reuters. 

“It will be long; the injuries are severe, but his condition is headed in the right direction.”

Sir Salman was stabbed three times in the neck, and four times in the stomach. He also suffered puncture wounds to his chest and right eye and a laceration to his right thigh, prosecutors said.

On Saturday fellow author, Aatish Taseer, tweeted that Sir Salman was talking and joking