bethany bell, bbc news in la gironde.f stabbing the author sir salman rushdie has been formally charged with attempted murder and assault. sir salman remains on a ventilator in hospital after being attacked at an event in new york state yesterday. he's been the subject of death threats ever since the publication in 1988 of his controversial book, the satanic verses, which some muslims considered blasphemous. authors and politicians have condemned the attack as horrifying and also an assault on free speech. this report from our correspondent, nomia iqbal. sir salman rushdie remains on a ventilator inside this hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. his agent has said the author is in bad shape. he faces losing an eye, the nerves in one of his arms are severed and his liver is damaged. sir salman was flown here from the neighbouring state of new york. it was there at a literary event that the attack happened in full view of a large audience. a man in a black mask jumped onto the stage, stabbing him at least once in the

bethany bell, bbc news in la gironde. let's go back to our top story.writer ben 0kri. what we would like to know first of all from you is your reaction to this attack on mr rushdie. my immediate reaction is one of shock and consternation and outrage. as would be the case with any writer around the world or any artist or anybody of any sensibilities. it’s anybody of any sensibilities. it's not 'ust anybody of any sensibilities. it's not just an _ anybody of any sensibilities. it's notjust an attack anybody of any sensibilities. it's not just an attack on salman rushdie notjust an attack on salman rushdie but an attack on free speech, something that many politicians and others have been saying in the last 20 flowers. others have been saying in the last 20 flowere— 20 flowers. yes, it's an attack on one of the _ 20 flowers. yes, it's an attack on one of the fundamental- 20 flowers. yes, it's an attack on one of the fundamental basis - 20 flowers. yes, it's an attack on one of the fundamental basis of. 20 flowers. yes, it's an attack on i one of the fundame