Two Romanians jailed for stabbing journalist on behalf of Iran regime
Nandito Badea and George Stana at a previous court appearance
Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to prison for stabbing a journalist in Wimbledon in an attack linked to the Iranian regime aimed at "silencing" him.
The victim, Pouria Zeraati, is employed by Iran International, a Persian language channel known for its critical coverage of the Iranian government.
In March 2024, Nandito Badea, aged 21, and George Stana, aged 25, assaulted Zeraati as he was walking to his car near his residence, located just around the corner from the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
At the Old Bailey in London, Stana received a 12-year prison sentence and Badea was sentenced to eight years after being convicted last month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The stabbing resulted in Zeraati being hospitalized with three stab wounds to his leg that required stitches.
Stana was the driver of the Mazda getaway car. Zeraati identified Badea as the individual who wielded the knife, while a third man, David Andrei, restrained him during the attack. Andrei remains in Romania.
Judicial findings and sentencing remarks
During sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated:
"I am sure that this was an attack for - or for the benefit of - a foreign power."
"The victim Pouria Zeraati was not selected at random."
She noted that Zeraati had previously been subjected to threats and that posters bearing his photograph and the words "Wanted. Dead or alive" had been displayed in Tehran, the Iranian capital.
The judge concluded that Stana either knew or should have known that the assault was carried out on behalf of Iran, but expressed uncertainty regarding Badea's awareness of this.
Details of the attack and its planning
The court was informed that the attack had been planned for at least one year, involving extensive surveillance of Zeraati's home in Wimbledon.
In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, Zeraati described the consequences of the attack:
"The incident has left me scared and anxious."
"I find it difficult to go to restaurants for fear of being followed. I am always looking over my shoulder."
"The attack has caused me significant sleeplessness."
He further explained that he has had to change his address multiple times and is fearful of going out alone.
Defence arguments
Legal representatives for both men argued that their clients were unaware they were acting on behalf of Iran when they committed the assault.
Stana's barrister, Peter Caldwell KC, stated:
"He did not know it and could not know it. He is not a sophisticated person. He is functionally illiterate. He is not aware of current affairs."
For Badea, David Spens KC acknowledged the prosecution's case but argued:
"I do not dispute that the prosecution has established that the attack was carried out on behalf of a foreign power."
"There is no evidence from which it can be inferred Mr Badea had knowledge of those matters."
