Two individuals have been convicted of planning arson attacks on properties associated with the Prime Minister. Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a 27-year-old Ukrainian-born Romanian, were found guilty at the Old Bailey for conspiring to commit arson on properties connected to Sir Keir Starmer.
Last year in May, a series of fires occurred at a residence in north London linked to Starmer, another nearby property rented by his sister-in-law, and a Toyota once owned by him. These attacks, carried out in the dead of night, endangered lives and instilled fear in the residents.
Lavrynovych was also found guilty of recklessly damaging two properties by fire on specific dates. He was remanded into custody for sentencing later this week by Mr. Justice Garnham.
The court heard that Lavrynovych was recruited online by a Russian-speaking individual known as “El Money” who offered payment for the arson attacks. Another individual, Petro Pochynok, was acquitted of involvement in the conspiracy.
Helen Flanagan, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that while El Money did not pose a state threat, the intention behind the attacks was to create fear and disruption in the UK community and instill fear in the Prime Minister.
Flanagan warned others against getting involved in such criminal activities, emphasizing that swift justice would be pursued for anyone identified in similar incidents. Lavrynovych, based in south London, was charged shortly after the incidents, while Carpiuc was apprehended at an airport as he tried to leave the country.
In his defense, Lavrynovych claimed he was coerced by El Money and described him as a powerful figure with political ties. Carpiuc denied involvement, labeling the plan as illegal, while Pochynok stated he was unaware of the arson plan until it was too late.
The court also heard that El Money had previously tasked Lavrynovych with other criminal activities for monetary gain. The motivation behind the attacks was not ideological, but rather aimed at causing fear and uncertainty.