New York/IBNS, May 16 -- The man convicted of stabbing acclaimed author Salman Rushdie on a New York lecture stage in 2022, leaving him blind in one eye, has been sentenced to a 25-year jail term.

A jury found Hadi Matar, 27, guilty of attempted murder and assault in February.

Salman Rushdie was not present at the Western New York courtroom for his assailant's sentencing on Friday but submitted a victim impact statement.

Before being sentenced, Matar also made a statement about freedom of speech during which he called Rushdie a hypocrite.

Matar received a maximum 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Rushdie and seven years for wounding a man who was on stage with him.

He will serve the sentences concurrently as both victims w...