JK Rowling gets death threat over tweet condemning attack on Rushdie

Author JK Rowling best known for the fantasy book series “Harry Potter” has received a death threat on Twitter after she condemned the attack on fellow British writer Salman Rushdie.

Rushdie who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing “The Satanic Verses”, was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, a US national of Lebanese origin, on stage on Friday (August 12) while he was being introduced at a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.

Also Read: Salman Rushdie off ventilator, talking; attacker Hadi Matar pleads not guilty

Rowling who has previously been criticized for her comments on transgender people, had on Friday (August 12) shared a tweet expressing horror at the attempt on 75-year-old Rushdie’s life.

“Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok,” she had posted. A user commented on the post, saying “Do not worry you are next.” He had previously described Matar as a “revolutionary Shia fighter”.

Horrifying news. https://t.co/i5poClOImW

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2022

Rowling on Saturday (August 13) shared a screenshot of this comment and asked Twitter to take cognizance, tagging @TwitterSupport, “Any chance of some support?” She later confirmed that the police were now involved. “To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved on other threats),” Rowling wrote.

.@TwitterSupport any chance of some support? pic.twitter.com/AoeCzmTKaU

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 13, 2022

The author later shared a screenshot of Twitter’s feedback after she reported the comment, which said there were “no violations of the Twitter rules in the content you reported”.
Warner Bros. Discovery, the media conglomerate which owns Warner Bros, the studio behind the “Harry Potter” film franchise, in a statement condemned the threats against Rowling.

“Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns the threats made against JK Rowling. We stand with her and all the authors, storytellers and creators who bravely express their creativity and opinions. WBD believes in freedom of expression, peaceful discourse and supporting those who offer their views in the public arena.”

Also Watch: Salman Rushdie on ventilator after stabbing

“Our thoughts are with Sir Salman Rushdie and his family following the senseless act of violence in New York. The company strongly condemns any form of threat, violence or intimidation when opinions, beliefs and thoughts might differ,” the corporation said in the statement.

Mumbai-born Rushdie who was hospitalized with serious injuries, has been taken off a ventilator and was able to talk, a day after he was stabbed.

Also Read: Salman Rushdie attack: Why his book The Satanic Verses created such a furore

The authors injuries include three stab wounds to the right side of the front of his neck, four stab wounds to his stomach, a puncture wound to his right eye and chest and a laceration on his right thigh, according to Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt.

Matar was charged with attempted murder and assault in the stabbing of Rushdie and he pleaded not guilty.

(With inputs from agencies)