Police are investigating a threat against JK Rowling that was made after she posted her reaction on social media to the attack on Salman Rushdie.
Rowling tweeted on Friday: “Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be OK.”
A Twitter user under the name Meer Asif Asiz replied: “Don’t worry you are next.”
Rowling shared screenshots of the threat and thanked everyone who had sent supportive messages. “Police are involved (were already involved on other threats),” she wrote.
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a report of an online threat being made and officers are carrying out inquiries.”
The same Twitter account also posted messages praising the man who attacked and stabbed Rushdie on stage in New York.
The tweet to Rowling appeared to have been taken down by Sunday morning.
In a statement, bosses at Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), the entertainment company behind the film adaptations of Rowling’s Harry Potter series, said they “strongly condemn” the threats made against the author.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Rowling also called on Twitter to take action. She posted: “@TwitterSupport any chance of some support?”
The response from Twitter, Rowling said, was: “After reviewing the available information, we determined that there were no violations of the Twitter rules in the content you reported. We appreciate your help, and encourage you to reach out again in the future if you see any potential violations.”
Rowling responded by asking: “These are your guidelines, right? ‘Violence: You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people. We also prohibit the glorification of violence… Terrorism/violent extremism: You may not threaten or promote terrorism’.”
Twitter has been approached for comment.
Rowling is one of a number of writers who have expressed concern for Rushdie, including Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, and William Dalrymple, who described the attack as “a terrible day for literature, for freedom of speech and for authors everywhere”. – Guardian
