Pouria Zeraati: Three accused of TV presenter attack have left the UK
The Metropolitan Police announced that three individuals suspected of involvement in the stabbing of an Iranian TV presenter in south London have departed the UK.
Pouria Zeraati, aged 36, was attacked outside his residence in Wimbledon on Friday afternoon but has since been released from the hospital.
Commander Dominic Murphy stated, “We have identified three individuals whom we believe departed the UK shortly after the assault.” The Metropolitan Police did not disclose the potential whereabouts of these individuals.
Investigators determined that Mr. Zeraati was accosted by two individuals in a residential area and stabbed before they fled in a blue Mazda 3, driven by a third individual. The car was later discovered abandoned in the New Malden vicinity.
“After abandoning the vehicle, the suspects proceeded to Heathrow Airport and exited the UK,” Commander Murphy added in an update.
“We are now working with international partners to establish further details.”
He added the Met was not yet able to provide further information about any motive, but Mr Zeraati’s occupation, coupled with recent threats towards UK-based Iranian journalists, meant the investigation continued to be led by counter-terrorism officers.
The Iranian regime has denied any involvement.
On Monday, Mr. Zeraati thanked well-wishers for their “sympathy, kindness, and love in the past few days”.
“Fortunately, I am feeling better, recovering and I have been discharged from the hospital,” he posted on X.
“My wife and I are residing at a safe place under the supervision of the Met Police.”
Mr Zeraati, the host of the Last Word on Iran International, claimed the suspects had purposefully planned the attack.
Iran International says it provides independent coverage of events in the country, but the regime in Tehran has declared it a terrorist organization.
The channel’s spokesman told BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Saturday the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had been targeting journalists and their families.
Adam Baillie said: “It was a shocking, shocking incident, whatever the outcome of an investigation reveals.
“But for him as a leading presenter, as with our other presenters and journalists, yes, it is a great shock.
