Two Romanian men have been arrested and charged after an Iranian journalist was stabbed outside his home in Wimbledon.
Pouria Zeraati was attacked as he approached his car in Queensmere Road in the south west London district on March 29.
He was left with horror injuries on his leg.
Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, have now been arrested as they were stopped at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday having been previously detained in Romania earlier this month.
The pair were met by officers from the Metropolitan Police.
This comes after they had been returned to the UK from Romania by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre.
They will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and wounding.
Senior Met officer Helen Flanagan said: ‘This has been a long-running investigation and I am pleased we have reached a point where two men have now been charged and will face prosecution here in the UK.
‘I would like to thank our Romanian counterparts for their co-operation on this matter, as well as colleagues from the CPS and NCA who have helped us to reach this point.’
Following the attack, Pouria Zeraati (pictured) was rushed to hospital where he later shared a picture on Instagram, smiling and holding up a peace sign
The 36-year-old’s wife, Oldouz Rezvani, 37, (left) was inside their home as her husband was knifed on the street outside as he made his way to work
Mr Zeraati, who works for London-based broadcaster Iran International, returned to work on April 5, a week after the attack, saying ‘the show must go on’.
He was allegedly targeted by a two-man team who escaped the scene in Wimbledon in a waiting car, police investigating the attack previously said.
The prominent journalist, who works for the Iran International TV channel, has been openly critical of the Iranian government’s regime.
Following the attack, the 36-year-old reporter was rushed to hospital where he later shared a picture on Instagram, smiling and holding up a peace sign. He has since been released from the hospital.
The prominent journalist, who works for the Iran International TV channel, has been openly critical of the Iranian government’s regime