LONDON: UK Prosecutors said on Friday that a 20-year-old British man has been charged with orchestrating an arson plot against a Ukrainian-linked target in London on behalf of the Russian state.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the suspect, Dylan Earl from Leicestershire in central England, allegedly planned an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in March 2024. Court documents suggest Earl’s affiliation with the proscribed terrorist group, the Wagner Group.
The arson attack, which occurred on March 20, targeted two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London, and required the response of 60 firefighters to bring it under control. The alleged target is referred to as “Mr X” in the charges.
In connection with the case, two other men, Paul English, 60, and Nii Mensah, 21, have been charged with aggravated arson. Moreover, Jake Reeves, 22, faces charges of agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service and aggravated arson. Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, has been charged with possessing information about terrorist acts.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed deep concern over the allegations, stating on social media, “While we must let the judicial process run its course, I am deeply concerned by allegations of British nationals carrying out criminal activity on UK soil to benefit the Russian state.”
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command in London, emphasized the significance of the investigation, stating, “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us.” He highlighted that the charges mark the first time the police have arrested and charged individuals using powers under the National Security Act.
The National Security Act 2023, which came into effect in December last year, aims to address threats of hostile activity targeting the UK’s democracy, economy, and values.
All five suspects are scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, London, on May 10.
