In a shocking development, a grand jury indictment unsealed on Wednesday revealed that the man accused of stabbing renowned author Salman Rushdie has been charged with three federal terrorism-related counts. The accused individual, Hadi Matar, is facing charges of committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists.

The incident took place in August 2022 when Rushdie was attacked on stage just moments before he was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Matar had previously pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault in connection with the stabbing.

According to the recently unsealed grand jury indictment, federal authorities allege that Matar had attempted to provide material support and resources, including himself and services, to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely Hizballah. The four-page indictment further accuses Matar of knowingly attempting to kill, maim, and assault a person within the United States, resulting in serious bodily injury. However, the indictment does not mention Rushdie by name.

Matar, who rejected a state plea deal that included a federal terrorism-related charge and a reduced state prison sentence, continues to maintain his innocence on both the state and federal charges, according to his attorney, Nathaniel Barone. Barone emphasized that Matar will exercise all of his fundamental and constitutional rights in vigorously defending himself against the charges.

Matar is scheduled to appear in federal court in Buffalo, New York, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to court records.

Salman Rushdie, 77, has long been recognized for his literary achievements but has also faced controversy and criticism. His fourth novel, "The Satanic Verses," garnered condemnation from certain Muslim communities who deemed it sacrilegious. In 1989, the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a religious decree, or fatwa, calling for Rushdie's death, describing the book as an insult to Islam and Prophet Mohammed.

As this case unfolds, it is expected to draw significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the terrorism-related charges filed against the accused individual. The trial will undoubtedly be closely watched by both literary and legal communities alike, as it raises important questions about the intersection of freedom of speech, national security, and criminal responsibility.