Knife Attack On Iranian Journalist In London, Investigation By Counter-terrorism Unit

A prominent Iranian journalist was stabbed outside his home, police in London said. According to Arab News, the host of the program “Last Word” on Iran’s international TV network, Poriya Zirati, suffered multiple stab wounds on different parts of the body. The injured journalist was rushed to the hospital where his condition is said to be out of danger. London’s Metropolitan Police have said that the incident is being investigated.

A spokesperson for the police’s counter-terrorism command said that they have started an investigation and it is understood that the intelligence agency Mi-5 has also been informed in this regard. Arab News has seen a statement from the head of the police’s counter-terrorism unit, Dominic Murphy, in which he said: ‘We are moving forward with an open mind and in this regard the victim’s department and other employees of this organization. Keeping in view the pre-existing threats, the investigation is with the Counter-Terrorism Command.

At this stage of the investigation, he said, “I would emphasize that we do not know anything about why the victim was attacked and there could be many details or explanations.” He said that ‘the circumstances of this incident are being assessed and meanwhile our detectives are continuing the investigation and the identification and arrest of the accused is our priority.’

The head of the counter-terrorism unit said, “I understand the concerns and concerns raised after this incident by those who do similar work and especially those who are from the Iranian community.” According to the statement, “Police are in contact with the TV network of the victim journalist and as a further precaution, patrols have been increased in the Wimbledon area.” Police are also patrolling other areas of London in its vicinity to ensure the safety of affected people and concerned citizens in the coming days.

Dominic Murphy said: “Finally I would appeal to Wimbledon residents to contact the police if they see anything suspicious.”
After the Tehran government attempted to assassinate two Iranian anchors in London in November 2022, Seema Sabet and Fardad Farahzad, the Metropolitan Police provided 24-hour security at the channel’s offices in West London. The channel said in the broadcast after the attack on Zirati that the government of Iran has been trying to harm international Iranian journalists in the recent past who speak about and criticize human rights in Iran.