SALMAN RUSHDIE STABBED ON STAGE
British author Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage as he was about to be interviewed.
The interview forms part of the Chautauqua Institution’s literature festival in western New York state.
Just before the interview was about to begin, a man in a mask rushed up on stage and stabbed Rushdie in the neck.
Other attendees rush to the stage to help Rushdie and capture the man. A video was shared on social media showing people helping Rushdie by keeping his legs in the air.
Police confirmed that the man suspected of carrying out the attack has been taking into custody.
It’s been reported that Rushdie was at the event in Chautauqua to discuss the need for asylum writers.
For several years Rushdie was protected by British police after his book The Satanic Verses led to death threats from a prophet in Iran. The bounty that was put on his head back in 1988 still remains today.
During this time he was unable to tell even his children where he lived. His publishing team faced attempted murders.
RTE reports that threats and boycotts continue against literary events that Rushdie attends, and his knighthood in 2007 sparked protests in Iran and Pakistan, where a government minister said the honour justified suicide bombings.
Image credit: The Scotsman