Author Sir Salman Rushdie, whose writing led to dying threats, has apparently been stabbed within the neck whereas on stage at an occasion in New York state.
The Indian-born British writer has been taken to hospital by helicopter however his situation shouldn’t be but identified.
The 75-year-old was about to offer a lecture when a person stormed the stage on the Chautauqua Institution and started attacking Sir Salman as he was being launched, in keeping with an AP reporter who was there.
The novelist was taken or fell to the ground, and the person was restrained.
State police stated in a press release they’re “investigating an attack on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY”.
“At about 11am, a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital.”
They added: “The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.”
A video posted on-line confirmed a variety of folks dashing on stage within the aftermath as Sir Salman was tended to.
An image circulating on social media appeared to indicate Sir Salman along with his legs barely raised and somebody making use of stress to his stomach.
On stage there have been two yellow chairs, a desk and rug.
Dozens of viewers members have been current.
His e-book, The Satanic Verses, has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims take into account it to be blasphemous.
A yr after that, Iran’s late chief Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, calling for Sir Salman’s dying.
The Middle East nation additionally provided a bounty of greater than $3m for anybody who kills Rushdie.
In 1998, Iran’s pro-reform authorities of President Mohammad Khatami distanced itself from the fatwa, saying the menace in opposition to Rushdie was over after he had lived in hiding for 9 years.
The e-book’s Japanese translator was stabbed to dying in 1991 and different folks concerned in publishing it have been attacked.
But Ayatollah Khomeini’s successor as Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated in 2005 that the fatwa was nonetheless legitimate and three hardline clerics referred to as on followers to kill Rushdie.
Source: information.sky.com”