Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, a British-Iranian journalist working for the Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in Wimbledon, southwest London, in March 2024 [1, 2]. Romanian nationals Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, are on trial at Woolwich Crown Court charged with wounding with intent and unlawful wounding [1, 2]. A third suspect, David Andrei, was arrested in Romania but is not currently standing trial; prosecutors say he helped restrain Zeraati during the attack [1, 2].
Prosecutors told the court the stabbing was a deliberate and planned assault ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state. They argued that Badea and Stana were used as proxies in the attack [1, 2]. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said, "This was no robbery, no fight that got out of control, it was deliberate, planned violence to achieve what it did, that is serious injury to its target" [1]. He later reiterated, "This was deliberate, planned violence intended to cause serious injury" [2].
The Iranian government has denied involvement in the attack [1, 2]. Iran International, based in London and critical of the Iranian government, is designated a terrorist organization by Tehran [1, 2]. Posters featuring pictures of journalists including Zeraati appeared in Tehran in November 2022 under the heading "Wanted: dead or alive," reflecting the targeting of journalists critical of Iran's regime [1, 2].
Before the stabbing, Zeraati was subject to extensive surveillance. In March 2023, co-defendant Stana was stopped by police near Zeraati's home while allegedly conducting reconnaissance [1, 2]. On the day of the attack, Badea and Andrei confronted Zeraati as he crossed the street from his home to his car. Badea stabbed Zeraati while Andrei held him, then the two fled in a getaway car driven by Stana [1, 2].
The trial against Badea and Stana began on May 13, 2024, at Woolwich Crown Court [1, 2]. Court proceedings continue as prosecutors present evidence of a state-linked, premeditated attack.
