The federal terrorism trial of Hadi Matar began on Wednesday, with prosecutors alleging that he spent years planning an attack on author Salman Rushdie. Matar is accused of stabbing Rushdie in 2022 before a lecture in New York. He was previously convicted in a state court for attempted murder. The federal charges center on the motive behind the attack, which prosecutors say was an act of terrorism. They claim Matar researched Rushdie’s whereabouts for a long time before carrying out the stabbing. Rushdie, a celebrated author known for his novel "The Satanic Verses," has faced death threats for decades. The attack left him with serious injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye. The trial is expected to focus on Matar’s alleged connections to extremist groups. Matar has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. The proceedings are being closely watched as a test case for terrorism laws in the United States.