Two Ukrainian, one Romanian men on trial in UK over arson of PM-linked properties

Three men are on trial in the United Kingdom accused of planning and carrying out arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a case that is currently being heard in court.

The defendants—Roman Lavrynovych, 22, Petro Pochynok, 35, both Ukrainian nationals, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27—are charged with conspiracy to damage property by fire between April 1 and May 13 last year, Caliber.Az reports per Sky News. 

Lavrynovych, who is based in Lewisham in southeast London, faces additional charges of damaging two properties by fire with intent to endanger life on May 11 and 12.

Prosecutors allege the attacks targeted locations connected to the prime minister. One incident involved a fire at the front door of a converted residential building in Islington on May 11. The following day, another fire broke out at a home in Kentish Town, where Starmer had previously lived before moving into Downing Street.

The case also involves a third incident in which a Toyota RAV4 vehicle linked to the prime minister was set on fire.

During proceedings, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC told the court that the three defendants allegedly communicated with a figure referred to as “El Money,” described as a payment provider. According to the prosecution, these communications were conducted in Russian.

He told the court: “It is not part of your considerations to decide who 'El Money' is and what reason he might have had to coordinate the actions of these defendants against these properties and this car associated with the prime minister.”

The trial is ongoing and is expected to continue until the end of May.

By Sabina Mammadli