Two Romanians jailed over stabbing of Iranian TV journalist in London

What Happened

On 29 March 2024, Pouria Zeraati, a journalist for the London-based Persian-language channel Iran International, was stabbed three times in the thigh outside his home in Wimbledon. The attack was described by prosecutors as a planned operation preceded by reconnaissance and ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state. At the Old Bailey on Friday, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb concluded that evidence overwhelmingly pointed to the attack being carried out for and for the benefit of a foreign power, namely Iran. Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, both Romanian nationals, were convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Stana was sentenced to 12 years, and Badea to 8 years. The court heard that Stana drove the getaway car, while Badea and a third man, David Andrei (still in Romania), crowded Zeraati before one of them stabbed him. The attackers were seen laughing as they fled to Heathrow and flew to Geneva. Zeraati, a high-profile critic of the Iranian regime, had previously been subjected to threats, and a billboard with his face and a 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' message had appeared in Tehran.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The sentencing reinforces evidence of Iran's use of proxy networks to conduct transnational repression against dissidents and journalists on European soil. It highlights the operational reach of Iranian state-linked actors in the UK and underscores a growing pattern of foreign state-sponsored violence abroad, compelling the UK to consider new legislative measures to counter state-linked organisations and their proxies.

Watch For

Monitor possible UK extradition requests for David Andrei from Romania; any diplomatic responses or sanctions imposed by the UK against Iran; statements from Iran International on operational security changes; progress of the UK's fast-tracked legislation to introduce new proscription-like powers for state-linked proxy activity; and any official Iranian denial or counter-accusations.