The 'Iranian sympathizer' accused of trying to murder Sir Salman Rushdie kept his warped fanaticism a secret from his closest friends and family, DailyMail.com can reveal. A close friend told DailyMail.com he trained with Hadi and spent time with his family - but didn't detect the slightest hint of religious extremism. Mom, Silvana Fardos, 46, looked anxious and close to tears as she arrived at her four-bed family home and rushed indoors without saying a word. Asked if his Lebanese-American family had any regrets or sadness over Matar's alleged attack on Rushdie, he told DailyMail.com: 'I don't know him. A young male refused to answer questions as he left the house carrying two suitcases and drove off in a battered GMC truckThe man said told DailyMail.com: 'I don't know him.