Two men charged over stabbing death of Iranian journalist in Britain

Two Romanian nationals have been charged after an Iranian journalist was stabbed outside his London home earlier this year.

On 29 March, Iran International TV journalist Pouria Zerati was stabbed in the leg in Wimbledon.

Nandito Badia, 19, and George Stana, 23, were arrested in Romania on Wednesday and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The CPS said both men appeared in a Romanian court to begin extradition proceedings to the UK.

A CPS spokesperson said on Thursday that “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, we have authorized charges against two Romanian nationals.”

“We will continue to work closely with the Romanian authorities to ensure that our extradition request moves through the courts,” the statement said. “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and they have the right to a fair trial.”

Mr. Zerati described the incident BBC Radio 4 Today program In April. He said that while he was going towards his car to go to the studio, a man approached him on the pretext of asking for money.

When he said he had nothing and proceeded to open the car door, another man came over and held him down so he couldn’t move his hands, Mr Zerati said.

The first person stabbed him in the leg, he said, then they ran away. None of Mr Geratty’s belongings were stolen in the attack, he said.

Police said at the time that the suspects traveled to Heathrow Airport with a third person shortly afterwards and left the UK.

Mr Zerati was taken to hospital, but returned to work a week after the attack. He told the BBC in April that although he was “feeling much better”, he was still recovering mentally.