Rushdie's suspected attacker denies attempted murder

Sir Salman Rushdie's suspected attacker has denied attempted murder and assault in what a prosecutor called a "pre-planned" crime.

Hadi Matar, 24, was identified by New York police after the attack on August 12, per Sky News.

He appeared in a court in New York state on Saturday wearing a prison jumpsuit and a face mask before entering his plea of not guilty.

A judge ordered him to be held without bail after district attorney Jason Schmidt said Matar took steps to purposely put himself in a position to harm Sir Salman.

"This was a targeted, unprovoked, pre-planned attack on Mr Rushdie," Mr Schmidt said.

Police have not established a motive for the stabbing that left the author, 75, seriously injured.