UK court sentences two men over Iran-ordered stabbing of journalist
Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to 12 and 8 years in prison for a 2024 stabbing attack on Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in London, which a judge ruled was carried out on behalf of the Iranian state.
A London court on Friday handed down prison sentences to two men convicted of carrying out a knife attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, a prominent critic of Iran's regime. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb stated that the evidence convincingly showed the attack was perpetrated in the name of the Iranian state. The assault occurred on March 29, 2024, near Zeraati's home in London, where he was stabbed three times.
The defendants, Romanian nationals Nandito Badja and George Stana, were found guilty of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm. Stana received a 12-year sentence, while Badja was sentenced to eight years. The judge noted that Stana was aware the targeted and serious attack was carried out on behalf of Iran. Badja had been involved in the conspiracy for a shorter period.
A third Romanian, David Andrej, who remains in Romania and was not present at trial, also participated in the attack. The perpetrators stopped the victim, and one of them stabbed him in the thigh. Meanwhile, Stana waited in a blue Mazda 3, which was used for reconnaissance before the attack. After the stabbing, the attackers drove to Heathrow Airport and fled to Geneva.
Zeraati was well-known as a critic of the Iranian regime and had previously received threats along with his family members. The UK Counter-Terrorism Police reported that since 2022, they have foiled 20 Iran-linked plots in the country.
