British counterterrorism police investigating the stabbing of a journalist working for a TV station crucial of the Iranian authorities mentioned three suspects fled the nation inside hours of the assault.
Puglia Zehrati, a presenter with London-based Iran International, was stabbed within the leg in entrance of her London house on Friday afternoon. Police mentioned that after Zelati was launched from the hospital, he was attacked by two males who fled in a automobile pushed by one other man.
“We can affirm that the suspects deserted the automobile earlier than heading to Heathrow Airport and leaving the UK,” Commander Dominic Murphy, the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism commander, mentioned in an announcement late on Tuesday. “We are presently working with our worldwide companions to determine additional particulars.”
Police mentioned the motive for the assault was nonetheless unclear, however that Zehrati’s occupation and up to date threats towards British-based Iranian journalists had triggered a counter-terrorism investigation. Iran International, a satellite tv for pc information channel that broadcasts in Farsi, has beforehand acquired threats for its protection of Iran.
Mehdi Hosseini Matin, Iran’s cost d’affaires within the UK, mentioned it “denies any connection” to the incident.
Police say they’ve thwarted “quite a few” plots to kill or kidnap individuals thought-about enemies of the Iranian authorities within the UK. Police mentioned officers have been working with intelligence companies to thwart any future plots and shield focused organizations and people.
Early final yr, Iran International briefly closed its London operations and relocated to a studio in Washington, D.C., in response to escalating “state-sponsored threats from Iran.” The station reopened in September final yr at a brand new location in London.
Associated Press