Overview
- The Woolwich Crown Court trial centers on Romanians Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, who plead not guilty to wounding with intent and unlawful wounding.
- Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson told jurors the assault was a planned, targeted attack ordered by a third party for the Iranian state rather than a robbery or a fight.
- Journalist Pouria Zeraati was stabbed three times in the leg in March 2024 near his Wimbledon home by two men before a getaway driver sped them off, according to the prosecution.
- The assailants were described as money‑motivated proxies who conducted reconnaissance, dumped a car and clothing, then took a taxi to Heathrow and flew to Geneva after the attack.
- Context presented to the jury includes prior threats against Iran International, a 2023 relocation over safety concerns, and 2022 Tehran posters naming Zeraati as ‘Wanted: dead or alive’, while Iran denies any role and a third suspect, David Andrei, is not on trial.