Romanians stabbed journalist in London at behest of Iran, UK court told
A UK court has heard that a group of Romanian men stabbed a journalist in London at the behest of the Iranian government. The attack on Pouria Zeraati, a journalist critical of Iran, was described as a deliberate and planned act of violence. The trial of two of the accused is ongoing, with Iran denying any involvement in the incident.
- ▪The journalist, Pouria Zeraati, was attacked near his home in Wimbledon in March 2024.
- ▪Prosecutors allege the attack was ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state.
- ▪The accused men are said to have conducted reconnaissance before the attack and fled to Geneva afterward.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Romanians stabbed journalist in London at behest of Iran, UK court toldSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 18, 2026, 10:58 PMUpdated May 18, 2026, 10:58 PMLONDON, May 18 - A team of Romanian men, acting as proxies for the Iranian government, carried out a knife attack on a journalist working for a Persian-language media organisation in London, prosecutors told a British court on Monday.Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin who works for Iran International, was stabbed in the leg three times as he was attacked near his home in Wimbledon, southwest London, in March 2024.At the start of the trial of two of the three men accused of carrying out the stabbing, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said they had targeted…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.