Salman Rushdie taken off ventilator, can talk; accused pleads ‘not guilty’

A day after being stabbed during a lecture in western New York State on Friday morning, renowned author Salman Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and will be able to speak.

According to the Washington Post, Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed that Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and may be able to talk.

Earlier, Hadi Matar, who is accused of stabbing Indian-born-British author Salman Rushdie, pleaded not guilty in a New York court to attempted murder in the second degree and other charges. Matar was arraigned in a centralised arraignment on Saturday and was remanded in Chautauqua County Jail without bail.

Matar pleaded not guilty, according to his public defender Nathaniel Barone, CNN reported.

Matar was arrested on Friday and remanded without bail at Chautauqua County Jail on charges of attempted murder in the second degree and assault in the second degree.

The co-speaker for the event, Ralph Henry Reese, 73, also suffered a minor head injury, according to New York State police. The Chautauqua Institution’s staff and guests went on stage to assist in apprehending the suspect. A State Trooper assigned to the event was stationed near the stage and apprehended the suspect.

Rushdie was stabbed on stage in Western New York state after receiving death threats for his book “The Satanic Verses.”

On Friday, New York State Police identified the suspect. In a statement, New York State Police said that a male suspect ran up onto the stage before a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua and attacked Rushdie.

According to the report, the author suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was flown to a nearby hospital by helicopter. A suspect has been apprehended.