Two Romanian men jailed for stabbing journalist in London

Two Romanian men whom British prosecutors said were acting as ​proxies for the Iranian government were given lengthy jail sentences ‌on Friday for stabbing a journalist working for a Persian-language media organisation in London.

Report informs, citing Reuters, that 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.

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 in June. Badea was sentenced to 8 years in jail and Stana was sentenced to 12 years.

During their trial, prosecutors ​said three men had targeted Zeraati, whose Saudi-funded TV employer ​is critical of Iran's government and has been designated a terrorist organisation by ‌Tehran.

Prosecutor ⁠Duncan Atkinson told jurors the attack was ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state. Iran had denied any involvement.

The third man accused of involvement, David Andrei, ​was arrested in ​Romania but was ⁠not involved in the trial.

Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said in sentencing remarks that she was sure the ​attack was carried out for the benefit of ​a foreign ⁠power.

An Iran International spokesperson said they were delighted the case had ended and thanked the police and the British government for their ⁠efforts.

"The ​attack on Pouria was appalling, terrifying ​for him and his wife, and shocking to his colleagues at Iran International," they ​said.