Judge Rules Iran Orchestrated Attack on Journalist; UK Summons Tehran Diplomat

(Central News Agency London, July 7, Combined Foreign Reports) A British court has determined that the stabbing and injury of British-Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati in London in 2024 was orchestrated by the Tehran government. Two Romanian suspects were recently sentenced to prison, and Britain today summoned the acting deputy head of mission of the Iranian Embassy in London.

According to Reuters, in March 2024, British-Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati was stabbed three times near his home in southwest London, sustaining leg injuries. Zeraati works for Iran International.

The two Romanian suspects are Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25.

British prosecutors stated that the two acted on behalf of the Iranian government in carrying out the attack. However, both denied the charge of intentional assault in court. In June of this year, a London court found them guilty and last week sentenced them to 8 and 12 years in prison, respectively.

British Members of Parliament stated last year that Iran poses a significant and widespread threat to the UK. The Iranian Embassy in the UK denied the accusations, calling the claims "baseless, politically motivated, and hostile."

Regarding the British government's summoning of Iranian diplomats, the Tehran Embassy in the UK did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

The British Foreign Office stated that the judge determined "this attack on a journalist was carried out by criminals on behalf of the Iranian state, for the benefit of the Iranian government."

The Foreign Office said, "Iran's actions are intended to undermine the sovereignty and security of the UK, which is completely unacceptable, and Iran must cease these actions immediately." (Compiled by Chi Chin-ling) 1150708

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