The stabbing of Pouria Zeraati, a journalist for a private Iranian channel based in London, represents a “ huge shock » and an unprecedented attack in a context of “ very serious threats “, a spokesperson for the channel said on Saturday.
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According to Iran International TV, a channel which had to close its London offices for seven months last year on the recommendation of the police, the 36-year-old journalist was attacked near his home in the British capital.
Pouria Zeraati, “ is doing well » and is in the hospital in a “ stable state », Said Adam Baillie, spokesperson for the channel, on the BBC on Saturday. He posted a photo on his hospital bed on the X network.
“ It’s a huge shock “, ” this is the first attack of this kind “, he stressed.
“ Very serious threats »
London police, whose anti-terrorism command is investigating, announced Saturday evening that the victim had been found in Wimbledon, in the southwest of the British capital, injured in one leg after an attack with a weapon white. “ The fact that anti-terrorism was seized speaks for itself “, declared Adam Baillie, asserting that the journalists of the Persian channel, like those of the BBC, are subject to “ very serious threats for 18 months “.
“ For us it doesn’t change anything », continued the spokesperson for the channel. “ This adds to the general level of anxiety our journalists and presenters face “, he continued, referring to thwarted assassination plans, ” but they continue their work “, “ they are not martyrs “. Despite the threats, no one left the channel, he assured, “ people are very involved in the idea of a free and independent news service for Iran “.
Classified as a terrorist organization by Tehran
“ Their safety is our number one priority », added the spokesperson. For several years, London police have been investigating threats from Iran targeting British journalists working for Persian-language media. In December, an Austrian national was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for carrying out reconnaissance with a view to retaliating against Iran International TV.
The Iranian government classified the channel as a terrorist organization after its coverage of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 following her arrest by morality police.
Last year, the British government unveiled a tougher sanctions regime against Iran over alleged human rights abuses and hostile actions against its opponents on the ground British.