Two Romanians jailed for stabbing journalist on behalf of Iran regime

A London court has sentenced two Romanian men to prison for their roles in a knife attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, an act carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime. Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, were convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Stana received a 12-year sentence, while Badea was given eight years. The attack occurred in March 2024 as Zeraati was walking to his car near his Wimbledon home. Zeraati, who works for the Persian-language channel Iran International, known for its critical stance on the Iranian government, sustained three stab wounds to his leg. Police described how two men approached Zeraati, with one asking for money before the other stabbed him. The assailants fled the scene and later left the UK. The court heard that the attack was planned for at least a year, involving extensive surveillance of Zeraati's home. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated her certainty that the attack was for or benefited a foreign power, noting that Zeraati was not a random target and had previously been subjected to threats, including posters with his photograph in Tehran. Iran International condemned the attack as "appalling" and highlighted an ongoing campaign of intimidation against its journalists by the Iranian government.

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I am sure that this was an attack for - or for the benefit of - a foreign power.