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December 5, 2024 – UK –
British prosecutors have charged two Romanian nationals over the stabbing of Pouria Zeraati, a British-based Iranian journalist known for his critical reporting on the Iranian regime. The attack, which took place on March 29, 2024, outside Zeraati’s home in Wimbledon, is being investigated as a potentially politically motivated assault amid growing fears of Iran’s transnational crackdown on dissidents abroad.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced in early December that Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, face charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding. Both suspects were arrested in Romania on December 4 and are awaiting extradition to the UK to stand trial. According to the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command, the investigation into the stabbing—initially handled as a violent crime—was quickly escalated due to concerns about state-sponsored targeting of journalists.
Zeraati, a prominent presenter for Iran International, a UK-based Persian-language news outlet critical of the Islamic Republic, was stabbed in the leg in front of his home and hospitalized. He survived the attack and resumed broadcasting weeks later. The assault followed a series of threats against Iran International and its staff, including a 2023 plot disrupted by British intelligence that aimed to assassinate journalists working for the channel.
UK authorities have previously accused Iran of orchestrating or supporting intimidation campaigns and attacks against exiled critics. Iran International has had to temporarily relocate some of its operations due to security concerns. The Iranian regime has consistently labeled critical media as enemies of the state and has allegedly used criminal proxies to target them abroad.
The arrests of Badea and Stana mark a key development in addressing transnational repression. If extradited and convicted, both could face significant prison sentences. The case has been welcomed by press freedom advocates as a necessary step toward ensuring the safety of journalists operating in exile. It also signals the UK’s determination to pursue justice against those who enable or participate in politically motivated violence against the press, regardless of international borders.
Reference –
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx8wgz3rgwo
https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/two-charged-over-stabbing-journalist-wimbledon
