A man accused of acting as the getaway driver in a stabbing attack on an Iranian journalist in London has told a court he was unaware the victim would be stabbed. The attack on Iran International journalist Pouria Zeraati occurred in Wimbledon, South West London, on March 29, 2024, leaving him bleeding in the street, prosecutors allege.
Romanian nationals Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, have both pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and wounding. Prosecutors claim the attack was a planned operation ordered by a third party acting on behalf of the Iranian state.
During cross-examination at Woolwich Crown Court, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC questioned Stana about his role. Atkinson said: 'On 29 March 2024, you were willing to drive two men to Wimbledon to beat someone up and that was for money?' Stana replied: 'Yes.'
Atkinson added: 'And so if the price was right Mr Stana, you were willing to do almost anything?' Stana told the jury: 'Not anything – I did not know that these guys were going to stab that man.'
The prosecutor also told Stana: 'You were very happy to get the money if someone else did the dirty work for you.' Stana claimed he was 'guided' by the others with directions, waited in the car, and 'we shared the money equally.'
Atkinson pressed further: 'You drove them to Queensmere Road so that they could attack someone?' Stana replied: 'Yes.' Atkinson added: 'You knew that was what was going to happen before you set out that morning.' Stana responded: 'From a stabbing to two or three slaps across the face is a big difference.'
The court heard that the defendants headed to Heathrow Airport on the day of the attack and fled to Geneva, Switzerland. They ordered a taxi via the Bolt app, initially setting the drop-off as Tottenham, then adjusting to Luton, and finally Heathrow.
Mr Zeraati worked for Iran International, a Persian-language news outlet that the Iranian regime has branded 'a network of spies.' The outlet was based in Chiswick until February 2023, when threats led it to relocate temporarily to Washington DC, US.
The trial continues.
