UK Authorities investigate stabbing incident involving Persian language journalist

Pouria Zeraati, a host at Iran International, a Persian-language media organization, was reported to be in a stable state after the assault

Counter-terrorism investigators are looking into the stabbing of a journalist working for a Persian language media outlet in London on Friday, with concerns that he may have been singled out because of his profession, as stated by the police. 

The man, in his thirties, was assaulted and suffered a leg injury during the incident in Wimbledon, southwest London, on Friday afternoon, according to the authorities. 

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Britain identified the victim as well-known British-based Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, who presents a program on Iran International, a Persian language TV news channel critical of the Iranian government. 

The police reported his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, and he was in stable condition. 

Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ general secretary, expressed: “This cowardly assault on Pouria is extremely disturbing, and our sympathies are with him, his family, and all his colleagues at Iran International.” 

In January, the U.K. imposed sanctions on Iranian officials allegedly involved in threats against journalists on British soil. 

These officials were reportedly part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Unit 840, which, according to an ITV News investigation, was implicated in schemes to assassinate two TV hosts from Iran International in the U.K.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Counter Terrorism Command, stated: “While we are remaining open-minded, considering the victim’s occupation and our known concerns about the safety of employees at that organization, the investigation is being overseen by the Counter Terrorism Command.” 

“At this initial stage of our inquiry, we do not have a clear motive for the attack, and there could be various reasons behind it,” he added. 

There was no immediate reaction from Iranian authorities regarding the incident. 

British law enforcement and security authorities have been increasingly cautioning about Iran’s use of criminal surrogates to carry out attacks overseas. 

They have documented over 15 specific threats to harm or abduct dissidents or political adversaries associated with the Iranian government over the past two years. 

In December, an Austrian individual was found guilty of gathering intelligence for a potential terrorist assault after being accused of conducting “hostile reconnaissance” on Iran International’s London base. 

“It is premature to determine if this violent assault is linked to the escalating intimidation and harassment by Iran, including the attempted assassinations of journalists Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet in 2022,” Stanistreet remarked. 

“Nevertheless, this vicious stabbing will undoubtedly instill fear among the numerous journalists targeted at Iran International and the BBC Persian Service that their safety is compromised both at home and in the course of their work.” 

 Source: Reuters