Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to prison for their roles in stabbing a journalist in Wimbledon in March 2024. The court found that the attack was carried out "on behalf of a foreign power," specifically the Iranian regime, with the intent to silence the journalist.
George Stana received a 12-year sentence, and Nandito Badea was sentenced to eight years after being convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The attack left the journalist, Pouria Zeraati, who works for the Persian-language channel Iran International, hospitalized with stab wounds to his leg that required stitches.
Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb stated during sentencing that she was certain the attack was for or on behalf of a foreign power and that Zeraati was not a random target. Evidence presented in court indicated that Zeraati had previously been subjected to threats, including posters in Tehran with his photograph and the words "Wanted. Dead or alive."
Stana drove the getaway car, while Badea wielded the knife during the assault. A third individual, David Andrei, is reported to still be in Romania and allegedly held Zeraati while he was being stabbed. The court heard that the attack was planned for at least a year, with extensive surveillance of Zeraati's home.
Zeraati, in a victim impact statement, described the attack as causing him significant sleeplessness, fear, and anxiety. He stated that he has had to move multiple times and avoids going out alone, fearing he is being followed. "I am always looking over my shoulder," he said.
Lawyers for the defendants argued that their clients were unaware they were acting on behalf of Iran. Stana's barrister suggested his client was not a sophisticated individual and not aware of current affairs. Badea's counsel did not dispute that the attack was carried out on behalf of a foreign power but argued there was no evidence that Badea had knowledge of this fact.