Two Romanian nationals have received prison sentences for attacking a journalist in Wimbledon on behalf of the Iranian government. The assault was intended to silence Pouria Zeraati, an employee of the Iran International television channel, which frequently reports critically on Iranian leadership.
In March 2024, 21-year-old Nandito Badea and 25-year-old George Stana ambushed Zeraati as he approached his car near the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Following their conviction for causing grievous bodily harm with intent at London’s Old Bailey, Stana was sentenced to 12 years while Badea received an eight-year term.
The victim required hospital treatment for three stab wounds to his leg. Authorities identified a third individual, David Andrei, who allegedly restrained the victim during the attack; Andrei remains in Romania. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb presided over the case, confirming the assault was performed to benefit a foreign power. She noted that Zeraati was specifically targeted, having previously been labeled a threat by posters in Tehran.
Although the judge concluded Stana was likely aware of the Iranian connection, she could not definitively say the same for Badea. Prosecutors revealed that the operation involved over a year of surveillance at the journalist’s home. In a statement presented to the court, Zeraati described living in fear, experiencing insomnia, and feeling the need to constantly monitor his surroundings for threats.
