Iranian journalist stabbed in front of his home in the UK

According to a statement from the London Metropolitan Police, Zeraati, who lives in Wimbledon in the south of the city, was stabbed by a person in their 30s in front of his home.

Stating that Zeraati's life is not in danger, London police noted that while the motive for the attack is not yet certain, Iran International, where Zeraati works, is a television station that has received various threats.

Dominic Murphy, head of the London Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command, who noted that they are investigating numerous threats against Iran International, said in a statement that the attack could have occurred for many different reasons and that they are evaluating every possibility.

Noting that police activity in the Wimbledon area will be increased, Murphy requested that witnesses and those with information contact the police.

The statement also shared details regarding Iran-linked plots and attack attempts in the UK.

The statement indicated that there have been numerous kidnapping and assassination attempts against Iranians living in the UK over the last two years, and noted that security support is being provided to media organizations that broadcast in Persian or focus on Iran.

Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), one of the country's largest journalism organizations, stated in a written release that the stabbing of Zeraati was shocking.

Reminding that there were also attempted attacks against two Iranian journalists in the UK in 2022, Stanistreet said that the latest attack would have a negative impact on Iranian journalists in the country.

THREE SUSPECTS BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED

According to information obtained by The Telegraph, a suspect approached Zeraati around 15:30 as he was leaving his home.

While the individual was attempting to speak with Zeraati, a second suspect approached from behind and stabbed him several times.

The two suspects fled the scene by getting into a taxi waiting nearby, and it is believed that the taxi driver was a third suspect.

London Metropolitan Police stated that no arrests have been made yet and announced that the domestic intelligence service, MI5, has been informed.

INDIVIDUAL FILMING IRAN INTERNATIONAL BUILDING HAD BEEN APPREHENDED

In December 2023, an individual was detained for filming the Iran International studio located in the Chiswick area of London.

A special messaging application was found on the Austrian national's phone used to send the footage, but it was revealed that the application automatically deleted messages and images without leaving a trace.

The individual named Magomed Husejn Dovtaev, who was taken into custody, had been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison for "attempting to collect information that could be useful for terrorism."

News Source: AA