Two men have been arrested and detained in Romania in connection with the stabbing of a journalist in Queensmere Road, Wimbledon, on 29 March 2024.
The arrests of Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, both Romanian nationals, were made by Romanian authorities on 4 December, following charges authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation, led by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, has been ongoing since the March attack, which left the journalist seriously injured. The CPS has charged the pair with wounding and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Extradition Pending
Acting Commander Helen Flanagan of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command thanked Romanian authorities for their cooperation in the arrests:
“We have been investigating this incident and gathering as much evidence as possible to reach the point where the CPS were able to authorise charges. This work has led to the arrest and detention of two men in Romania, and I’d like to thank our Romanian counterparts for their cooperation on this matter.
“We now await the extradition process to progress so that the men can face prosecution here in the UK. In the meantime, we won’t be commenting further on the investigation and urge others not to speculate about the case, given criminal proceedings are now pending.”
The National Crime Agency and Romanian authorities are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and CPS to expedite extradition proceedings.
Background
The attack on 29 March shocked the Wimbledon community. The journalist, whose identity has not been disclosed for safety reasons, was reportedly ambushed and stabbed in what investigators believe may have been a targeted attack.
Next Steps
The arrests mark a significant development in the case, though the timeline for extradition and court proceedings in the UK remains unclear. The Met has emphasised the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold without speculation.
This case highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing cross-border crimes and ensuring that justice is served. Further updates will be provided as the extradition process progresses.
