UPDATED: Two Romanian nationals arrested in the UK in connection with assault on journalist

Two men charged in connection with the stabbing of a journalist on Queensmere Road, Wimbledon on 29 March have arrived into the UK on a flight from Romania.

The pair were arrested on 17 December at Heathrow airport and were met by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation into the assault.

Both men were taken into police custody appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 18 December.

They were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 17 January.

Romanian nationals Nandito Badea, 19 and George Stana, 23 have been charged with wounding and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The two men were previously detained by Romanian authorities on the 4 December. They were returned to the UK from Romania by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre.

Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command 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 cooperation on this matter, as well as colleagues from the CPS and NCA who have helped us to reach this point.

“Now that criminal proceedings are fully active here in the UK, I continue to ask people not speculate about the case or motivation so that the criminal justice process can run its course.”