Biden condemns attack on Rushdie, praises free speech

the president of United States, Joe Bidencondemned this Saturday, 13, the attack against the writer Salman Rushdiewho fights for his life in a hospital after have been stabbed, and praised the values ​​that the author represents, such as freedom of expression. In a statement, the president explained that he is “shocked and saddened” by the “brutal attack” against the writer, and assured that, along with his wife, Jill Biden, he is “praying for Rushdie’s health and recovery”. Biden praised the writer for representing “essential and universal ideals” such as truth, courage, resilience and the ability to express ideas without fear. “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to these deeply American values, in solidarity with Rushdie and all those who defend freedom of expression,” said the president, who is spending his summer vacation in South Carolina.

Rushdie, with assisted breathing and critically injured, is fighting for his life after being stabbed Friday in New York state just before a debate. In 1989, the author received a fatwa from the Islamic regime in Iran, which put a price on his head for considering his novel “Satanic Verses” an insult to the Koran, Muhammad and the Islamic faith. The alleged attacker, now in custody, is Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old California-born man of Lebanese origin who was charged with attempted murder on Saturday. According to the New York Times, a public defender assigned to the case pleaded not guilty on his behalf. The publication indicates that Matar’s next hearing has been set for August 19.

*With information from the EFE Agency