London stabbing of journalist ordered by third party acting for Iran, court told
Pouria Zeraati, who worked for a dissident Farsi-language broadcaster, was attacked outside his home in 2024
TL;DR
- The stabbing of journalist Pouria Zeraati in London was a planned attack ordered by a third party on behalf of the Iranian state, a court heard.
- Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin, worked for Iran International, a Farsi-language dissident broadcaster designated a terrorist organization by Tehran in 2022.
- Two Romanian men, Nandito Badea and George Stana, deny charges of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding.
- The prosecution stated the attack was preceded by reconnaissance and intended to cause Zeraati serious harm.
- Jurors were shown posters from Tehran featuring Zeraati with the words "wanted: dead or alive".
- The court heard of historical Iranian tactics shifting towards using proxies like criminal gangs for attacks on individuals targeted by Iranian intimidation.
- A year prior to the attack, a third accused man, David Andrei, was found with gloves and scissors in Zeraati's communal garden.
- Iran International relocated to the US due to mounting threats from Tehran and safety concerns for its journalists.