Two Men Jailed in High-Profile Attack on Iranian Journalist
A London court has sentenced two Romanian men for their roles in the stabbing of Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, ruling that the carefully planned attack was carried out on behalf of the Iranian state.
The incident took place outside Zeraati’s home in Wimbledon, southwest London, in March 2024. The journalist, known for working with the Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, was stabbed three times in the thigh before the attackers fled the scene. Although he survived, the attack forced him to relocate abroad due to ongoing security concerns.
George Stana, 25, received a 12-year prison sentence, while 21-year-old Nandito Badea was jailed for eight years after both were convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Court Says Attack Was Linked to a Foreign State
During sentencing at the Old Bailey, the judge concluded that the evidence strongly indicated the assault was carried out for the benefit of a foreign government.
The court heard that Zeraati had long been a vocal critic of Iran’s leadership and had previously received threats, as had members of his family. Prosecutors argued the attack followed months of surveillance and planning before it was carried out by individuals acting as proxies.
Investigators revealed that the victim’s movements and home had been monitored repeatedly before the stabbing, describing the assault as a deliberate and organized operation rather than a random act of violence.
Investigation Revealed Extensive Planning
According to prosecutors, the attack had been prepared well in advance, with multiple reconnaissance visits to the journalist’s residence before the assault.
Authorities said Badea and another suspect, David Andrei, approached Zeraati during the attack, while Stana waited nearby in a getaway vehicle. CCTV footage and investigative evidence helped establish the group’s movements before and after the incident.
Andrei remains in Romania and was not part of the trial.
Growing Concerns Over Foreign-Backed Threats
The case has renewed concerns among UK security agencies about hostile foreign governments allegedly using criminal proxies to target journalists, dissidents, and political critics living in Britain.
Counter-terrorism officials have warned that such operations represent an evolving national security challenge, with authorities continuing efforts to prevent similar attacks and strengthen protections for individuals considered at risk.
