Conviction in Knife Attack on London Journalist Linked to Iranian Regime
Two men have been found guilty of wounding Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in a planned knife attack in London, reportedly orchestrated by the Iranian government.
A jury has convicted Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, for their roles in a targeted knife attack on Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, which occurred outside his London home in 2024. The attack, described as part of an effort to silence dissenting voices, was allegedly ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian regime.
Zeraati, who worked for Iran International, was stabbed three times in the leg during the incident. Prosecutors detailed the attackers' preparatory measures, including extensive surveillance leading up to the assault. At trial, evidence presented suggested that the attack was not spontaneous but meticulously planned, with images shown to jurors displaying wanted posters featuring Zeraati in Tehran.
Both Badea and Stana, who denied the charges, are scheduled for sentencing on July 3 at the Old Bailey. A third participant in the attack, David Andrei, was arrested in Romania but did not stand trial. The Iranian diplomatic mission in the UK has denied any connection to the attack. Following the incident, tensions have escalated within the Iranian diaspora in the UK, with increased threats against journalists and dissidents. Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service underscored the serious nature of the attack, describing it as a calculated attempt to intimidate and suppress journalistic activity.