TWO FOUND GUILTY OF ARSON ATTACKS ON STARMER-LINKED PROPERTIES

Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted by an Old Bailey jury of plotting to damage property through arson attacks. The attacks targeted a Toyota Rav4 previously owned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, his former residence, and a flat where he previously lived. Lavrynovych set fire to the entrance of the flat block whilst a family slept inside, potentially blocking an escape route. A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, was acquitted of the same charge.

The attacks occurred in May last year, beginning with the vehicle set alight in Kentish Town, north London, on 8 May. Fires were subsequently lit at the entrance to a block of flats and at a house Sir Keir had rented to his sister-in-law after becoming prime minister. A Russian-speaking Telegram account, operated by someone known as 'El Money', recruited the attackers and offered £3,000 in cryptocurrency if the fires were filmed and reported in news coverage. Lavrynovych was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire and acting recklessly as to whether life was endangered.

Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London stated the attacks were intended to create concern, disruption and impact within the UK. She said the defendants were motivated by payment rather than ideology and had no evidence they knew they were targeting the prime minister's properties. Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed there is no evidence suggesting state involvement. A government spokesman described the attacks as abhorrent and thanked police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their work.