Two men were found guilty on Monday for planning to set fire to properties and a car connected to Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain. The incidents occurred after one suspect was recruited through a Russian-language Telegram account.
The arson events took place over five days in May 2025. These incidents involved two houses and a vehicle, all previously owned or used by Mr. Starmer.
Roman Lavrynovych, aged 22, admitted in court that he received instructions from a Russian-language Telegram account. This account, operated under a Ukrainian name meaning “EL Money,” was his source of directives. Lavrynovych faced two charges of arson, with a disregard for endangering life.
The second individual, Stanislav Carpiuc, aged 27, originally from Ukraine but holding Romanian citizenship, was found guilty for his role in these attacks. A third accused, Petro Pochynok, aged 35 and a Ukrainian national, was acquitted of conspiracy to commit arson.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, which is London’s central criminal court, Lavrynovych claimed ignorance about Mr. Starmer’s identity at the time of the attacks. Lavrynovych, involved in construction and moving work, mentioned that he was seeking extra income when an anonymous account approached him. This interaction occurred through a social media group aimed at Ukrainians looking for work in London in late 2024.
The attacks included fires at properties and a car, with the Metropolitan Police capturing an image of a burning vehicle involved in these crimes.
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