From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 5, 2026
2 Romanians convicted of stabbing Iran International journalist in UK; prosecutors say they acted for Tehran
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Two Romanian men whom British prosecutors say were acting as proxies for the Iranian government are found guilty of stabbing a journalist working for a Persian-language media organization in London.
Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin who works for Iran International, was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in southwest London in March 2024.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson told jurors at the start of the trial last month that three men had targeted Zeraati, whose Saudi-funded TV employer is critical of Iran’s government and has been designated a terrorist organization by Tehran.
Atkinson said they had carried out “a planned attack preceded by reconnaissance and which was ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state.”
Iran denied any involvement. Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, both pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent, but were convicted at London’s Woolwich Crown Court.
The third man accused of involvement, David Andrei, was arrested in Romania but was not involved in the trial.
Atkinson told jurors that posters were put up in Tehran in 2022 featuring pictures of journalists including Zeraati, under the heading “Wanted: dead or alive.”
Iran International has been targeted several times in recent years.
The Times of Israel Community.