The country’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, said Monday that “Salman Rushdie and his supporters are to blame for what happened to him.” He added: “Freedom of speech does not justify Salman Rushdie’s insults against religion and insulting its sanctities.” Iran has no information about Rushdie’s attacker other than what has appeared in the media, Mr. Kanaani said. The author, 75, was attacked on stage before a speech in New York state on Friday. He underwent hours of surgery at the hospital and was taken off the ventilator on Saturday. The suspect, Hadi Matar, 24, denied attempted murder. Sir Salman spent almost a decade in hiding after the publication in 1988 of his work The Satanic Verses, which some Muslims consider blasphemous. A fatwa, or religious edict, calling on Muslims to kill him was issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian leader, a year later. It has been reported that the religious leader had never read Sir Salman’s book. While such decrees can be revoked, Khomeini’s successor as Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said later in 1989 that the decision on Sir Salman had been fired like a “bullet” that “sooner or later would hit the target”. He confirmed that the fatwa was still valid as recently as 2017. Read more: The world reacts to the stabbing of Sir Salman Rushdie What do we know about the suspect? Why is Salman Rushdie so controversial? Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:00 Kathy Hochul condemns the attack on Salman Rushdie that occurred as he was about to give a lecture in New York. Sir Salman in ‘critical condition’ but off ventilator Zafar Rushdie said his father remained in a “critical condition” but was taken off the ventilator on Saturday. “Although his life-changing injuries are serious, his usual sharp and defiant sense of humor remains intact,” she said in a statement. Sir Salman was stabbed about 12 times, including in the face and neck, the Chautauqua County District Attorney said. One of the wounds to his face caused a puncture to his eye. Another, in the abdomen, caused a puncture in the author’s liver. There were also stab wounds to other areas of the abdomen and chest.
Zafar Rushdie’s entire statement
Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical condition in hospital and is receiving extensive ongoing medical care. We are extremely relieved that yesterday he was taken off the ventilator and extra oxygen and was able to say a few words. Although his life-changing injuries are serious, his usual sharp and defiant sense of humor remains intact. We are so grateful to all members of the public who bravely rushed to his defense and provided first aid along with the police and medics who attended to him and for the outpouring of love and support from around the world. We ask for continued patience and privacy as the family gathers at his bedside to support and help him through this time. Earlier on Sunday, in an update on his condition, his literary agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed that Sir Salman had been taken off the ventilator, saying: “The road to recovery has begun. “It will be a long time coming; the injuries are serious, but his condition is moving in the right direction.”
