British counter-terrorism detectives are investigating after a journalist working for a Persian language media organisation was stabbed in London on Friday amid fears he had been targeted because of his job, police said.
Police said the man, aged in his 30s, was attacked and sustained an injury to his leg in the incident in Wimbledon, southwest London, on Friday afternoon.
The victim was prominent British-based Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, who hosts a show critical of Iran’s government on the Persian language television news network Iran International. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, and he is in stable condition.
This cowardly attack on Pouria is deeply shocking, and our thoughts are with him, his family, and all of his colleagues at Iran International, Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ general secretary, said.
While the investigation is ongoing, with an open mind towards the attack’s motives, the Counter Terrorism Command is leading the inquiry, noting concerns about threats to employees of the organization. No immediate response has been received from Iranian officials following the incident.
This stabbing comes amidst increasing warnings by British police and security officials about Iran’s use of criminal proxies for attacks abroad. The National Union of Journalists expressed concerns about the safety of journalists working at Iran International and the BBC Persian Service following this violent assault.
