Two Romanians Sentenced for Knife Attack on Iranian Journalist in London
In a significant legal outcome, two Romanian nationals, Nandito Badea (21) and George Stana (25), have been sentenced for their involvement in a concerted knife attack on Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in London. The attack, described as “targeted” by authorities, was conducted on behalf of the Iranian state, aiming to silence a prominent critic of the Tehran regime.
The incident occurred on March 29, 2024, outside Zeraati’s residence in Wimbledon, where he was brutally stabbed three times in the thigh. Zeraati, an employee of Iran International—an outlet known for its critical stance against the Iranian government—was left bleeding on the street following the assault.
At the Old Bailey, Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb stated that evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that the attack was orchestrated at the behest of the Iranian regime. She emphasized that Stana should have recognized the gravity and severity of the assault. Consequently, Stana was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Badea received an eight-year term for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
In her remarks, Justice Cheema-Grubb noted, “I am sure that this was an attack carried out for and for the benefit of a foreign power. Pouria Zeraati was a well-known critic of the regime, and he had previously faced threats, as had members of his family.”
Prosecutors outlined the premeditated nature of the assault, which involved a reconnaissance phase leading up to the attack. Zeraati was reportedly targeted as a result of his vocal opposition to the Iranian government, which had labeled his media organization as a terrorist entity. The court was informed that a billboard displaying Zeraati’s image with a “Wanted: Dead or Alive” message had been spotted in Iran, highlighting the risks he faced for his journalistic endeavors.
The attack was carried out by Badea and another associate, David Andrei, who remains at large in Romania. The pair surveilled Zeraati’s home multiple times before executing the assault. During the attack, they blocked his path, and one of them inflicted the stab wounds while the other, Stana, waited in a vehicle nearby—part of a getaway plan that was captured in CCTV footage.
In his victim impact statement, Zeraati conveyed the psychological toll the incident has taken, revealing that he now lives in fear of reprisals and has relocated abroad for safety.
Defense attorneys for Stana and Badea presented their cases in court, arguing that Stana was ill-informed about current affairs and did not understand he was acting on behalf of an Iranian agenda. Likewise, Badea’s attorney posited doubt regarding the prosecution’s assertion that he was the assailant.
Chief Superintendent Kris Wright, leading Counter-Terrorism Policing in London, stated, “Our recent casework shows an increasing use of so-called ‘proxies’ by hostile foreign states to conduct illegal activity and attacks in the UK. This case, along with others, affirms our commitment to combat such actions and collaborate with both domestic and international partners to bring offenders to justice.”
This case is emblematic of ongoing concerns regarding the safety of journalists and the insidious tactics employed by foreign entities to suppress dissent. The judicial response reflects a robust stance against the targeting of individuals for their beliefs, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the freedom of expression in the UK and beyond.
