Salman Rushdie suspect says author attacked Islam as he speaks from prison

THE suspect accused of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie has opened up about his dislike of the author.

Hadi Matar, 24, said: “I don’t think he’s a very good person.

2

“I do not like him.

“He is someone who has attacked Islam.

“When I heard he survived, I was surprised.”

Matar, who is in prison for attempted murder, spoke to the New York Post on video.

Cops suspect he acted on a 1989 decision by Iran’s religious leader about Rushdie’s “blasphemous” book The Satanic Verses.

He has been off a ventilator since he was stabbed to death in upstate New York last Friday.

Pal Henry Reese hosted the literary event where Rushdie, 75, was stabbed on stage.

He suffered a damaged eyeball fighting with the knifeman.

The free speech advocate said: “To see Salman Rushdie attacked is unimaginable.”

2