Salman Rushdie testified Thursday in a federal courtroom in Buffalo, New York, recounting the stabbing attack he endured four years ago while speaking at an event. The author faced his convicted assailant, Hadi Matar, during the terrorism trial, providing jurors with a detailed account of the ambush that nearly cost him his life.

Rushdie, 79, described the moment the attack began as he felt what he initially thought was a punch under his chin, followed shortly by the sensation of bleeding from his neck. “I was on the stage, lying down, with an enormous pool of blood all around me,” Rushdie testified. He detailed the multiple stab wounds he sustained, noting that “the knife was a millimeter from my brain.” The attack left Rushdie blind in his right eye, damaged his liver, temporarily paralyzed his left hand, and required mechanical ventilation during his recovery.

The stabbing occurred in 2022 at the Chautauqua Institution, a cultural venue where Rushdie was set to speak about the dangers faced by writers and artists. Matar, 28, approached from behind on stage and struck Rushdie 15 times. Other speakers and attendees rushed to help, restraining Matar until law enforcement took him into custody. Matar was previously convicted of attempted murder in state court and now faces federal charges, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism, which could result in a life sentence.

Prosecutors argue that Matar orchestrated the attack under the influence of a longstanding death threat issued against Rushdie by Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The fatwa called for Rushdie’s assassination due to perceived blasphemy in his novel “The Satanic Verses.” The order led to years of violent protests and forced Rushdie into hiding for an extended period, though he later resumed a more public life after the Iranian government distanced itself from the directive.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Nathaniel Barone challenged the suggestion that Matar acted as a terrorist, questioning Rushdie about the author’s knowledge of any ties Matar might have had to Iran or Iranian-backed groups. Rushdie said he had no direct knowledge but harbored suspicions. Barone also pressed Rushdie on whether he anticipated blowback from his controversial book. Rushdie responded that while some reaction may have been expected, “I don’t believe the book to be on trial here. I believe someone else is on trial.” The presiding judge later struck this remark from the official court record.

Throughout his approximately hour-long testimony, Rushdie appeared composed and focused, briefly removing his glasses to reveal his lost eyesight in his right eye as he described his injuries. Matar, often looking down or consulting with his attorney during the testimony, avoided direct eye contact with Rushdie for most of the proceeding.

The trial continues as prosecutors seek to establish Matar’s intent and connections to terrorism-related motivations behind the knife attack on the internationally recognized author.