Witness claims that the perpetrators of the Wimbledon knife attack were ‘chuckling’ following the assault on Iranian journalist

A man who hosts a show on the Persian language network Iran International, Pouria Zeraati, was attacked in Wimbledon as he left his home and is now in stable condition in the hospital as counter-terrorism police investigate the incident. Witnesses reported seeing the attackers laughing as they fled the scene, indicating that it may have been a targeted attack rather than random. The victim, in his 30s, suffered a leg injury as a result of the stabbing, with witnesses describing the scene as disturbing and unusual for the quiet suburban area.

One witness who saw the aftermath of the attack described seeing two young men sprinting away and getting into a car, laughing as they fled. The witness and his friend were able to provide the police with the number plate of the vehicle and attempted to give first aid to the victim, who had been stabbed multiple times. Despite the traumatic nature of the incident, the victim kept shouting that he was a journalist and asked for his wife to be contacted. While the witness did not know the victim personally, he stressed that the attack appeared to be targeted rather than random.

The Metropolitan Police have stated that there have been no arrests made in connection with the attack, and the investigation is ongoing. Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command emphasized that while they are considering all possibilities, the victim’s occupation as a journalist has raised concerns about the motive behind the attack. The police are exploring various lines of inquiry to identify and apprehend those responsible for the stabbing. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary denounced the incident as a cowardly and deeply shocking attack.

The neighbour who witnessed the attack expressed shock at the violence in an otherwise quiet area, highlighting that the incident was targeted and not random. The quick response of the police and the efforts of witnesses to assist the victim were noted, with the victim ultimately expected to recover from his injuries. Despite the unnerving nature of the attack, the community has come together to support the victim and provide information to aid the police investigation into the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward and assist in identifying those responsible for the stabbing.

As the investigation into the attack continues, concerns have been raised about the safety of journalists and the potential motives behind the targeted assault on Pouria Zeraati. With the victim being a public figure and associated with a network that reports on sensitive political issues, such as dissent against the Iranian government, there is speculation about the reasons for the attack. The incident has sparked discussions about the need to protect journalists and ensure their safety in reporting on contentious topics. The community and authorities are working together to uncover the truth behind the stabbing and bring the perpetrators to justice.