The man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie during a public event in 2022 has declined to testify in his defence, as his lawyers rested their case without calling any witnesses.
"No, I do not," said Hadi Matar, 27, when asked by Chautauqua County Judge David Foley on Thursday whether he wished to take the stand.
Earlier the same day, prosecutors concluded their arguments by calling a forensic expert as their final witness, marking the end of seven days of testimony, including a notable appearance by Rushdie himself.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday, to be followed by jury deliberations.
Matar, a resident of Fairview, New Jersey, faces charges of attempted murder and assault in Chautauqua County Court in western New York for the attack at the Chautauqua Institution.
Also read: ‘Knife’— Salman Rushdie’s memoir recollects 2022 stabbing episode
The assault left the acclaimed author, aged 77, blind in one eye and inflicted other severe injuries.
Throughout the trial, Matar was frequently observed taking notes and consulting his legal team.
On several occasions while entering and exiting the courtroom, he declared, "Free Palestine" to the media.
Defence attorneys had previously declined to comment on whether Matar would take the stand.
In addition to the ongoing trial, Matar faces separate federal charges in the US District Court in Buffalo for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the militant group Hezbollah.
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