Two Romanian nationals involved in the stabbing of an Iranian-British journalist have been sentenced in the UK. Prosecutors accused them of orchestrating a deliberate attack on the journalist, acting on behalf of the Iranian government.
Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, pleaded “not guilty” during their trial; however, the Woolwich Crown Court in London sentenced them to eight and twelve years in prison, respectively.
The victim, Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, is a British journalist of Iranian descent working for the exiled news outlet Iran International. He was stabbed three times in the leg during an attack near his home in Wimbledon, southwest London, in March 2024.
Intentional and Planned Violence
During the trial, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson stated that the assailants targeted Zeraati, whose employer, a Saudi-funded television station, has been critical of the Iranian government and labeled a terrorist organization by Tehran. “This was not a robbery or a fight that got out of control, but rather intentional violence planned to achieve the goal of seriously injuring the target,” Atkinson said.
The third man involved, David Andrei, was arrested in Romania but is not part of the ongoing trial.
Atkinson emphasized that Zeraati was an “obvious and easily identifiable target for the violence orchestrated by intermediaries” acting on Iran’s behalf. He noted that in November 2022, posters featuring photos of several journalists, including Zeraati, were displayed in Tehran under the caption “Wanted: Dead or Alive.” Since 2005, the Islamic Republic has increasingly relied on intermediaries, such as criminal groups, to carry out violent threats in its name, according to Atkinson.
Journalist Under Surveillance Before Attack
Atkinson added that Zeraati was subjected to extensive surveillance and reconnaissance prior to the attack. A year earlier, Stana had been arrested in Zeraati’s apartment garden with another man, found in possession of latex gloves, scissors, and a mask.
On the day of the attack, Badea and Andrei confronted Zeraati as he crossed the street from his house to his car. Andrei restrained him while Badea stabbed him in the upper thigh before they fled in a car driven by Stana. The assailants, motivated by financial compensation, abandoned the vehicle and some clothing items before taking a taxi to Heathrow Airport, from where they flew to Geneva.
