ANGER: Supporters back Sir Salman Rushdie in New York on Friday | PressReader.com
SIR Salman Rushdie faces living the “rest of his life knowing he is a permanent target” and could be left with a security bill of up to £1million a year when he is released from hospital, an expert warned last night.
The Indian-born British writer, 75, who remains the subject of a “fatwa” or death sentence issued 33 years ago by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini, is still in a serious condition following a knife attack nine days ago.
The Satanic Verses author is expected to recover from stab wounds to his liver and hand but could still lose an eye, according to hospital staff in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he was airlifted after the attack at a lecture hall in Chautauqua, New York State.
Kent Moyer, CEO of La-based private security firm World Protection Group, said that the writer could face an annual bill “hitting seven figures or higher.”
“He is, sad to say, doomed to lead the rest of his life knowing he is a permanent target.”
Mr Moyer added: “It’s clear that he let things slide because he thought he was free and clear of the death threat against him. Now we know he wasn’t and it’s as if he has landed right back where he was more than three decades ago.” Sir Salman had police protection for the first three years of the fatwa in England and is currently being guarded by local police in hospital in the US but Mr Moyer cautioned: “That won’t be the case when he is discharged.”
Last week, one of the author’s close friends, Dr Mark Siegel, said: “I’ve known him for years. He only came back to America relatively recently and was convinced the fatwa was long-forgotten by everyone.
“He would say to me ‘It’s over! It’s over!’ when we met for dinner and I think he really believed that.
“That’s why he had been appearing in public more and more, and was even guest lecturing at New York University.”
The man suspected of stabbing Sir Salman has been charged with attempted murder.
Hadi Matar has been remanded in custody without bail after pleading not guilty, said the prosecutor in Chautauqua County.
Matar, 24, is accused of running on to the stage, knifing Mr Rushdie several times, and attacking an interviewer at the event which was held by a local educational centre.
Publication: Sunday Express
Author: From Mike Parker IN LOS ANGELES
