Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that justice has been served following the convictions of two men for arson attacks on his property, which he linked to the West's support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Arson Convictions
Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of plotting to damage property. They were acting as stooges for a shadowy Russian-speaking taskmaster known as El Money.
Last May, a Toyota Rav4 once owned by Sir Keir was set alight in Kentish Town, north London. Days later, two houses were set ablaze, including a north London home occupied by the Prime Minister's sister-in-law and her family, which he still owns.
Prime Minister's Response
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Sir Keir said: "Obviously it was a bad attack, and all the details have now come out in court and justice has been done, so I'm pleased in that respect, particularly for my family who were affected by it." He added that the attack must be seen in the broader context of Western support for Ukraine.
At the G7, leaders expressed unity in supporting Ukraine, recognizing its progress in regaining territory and the impact of sanctions on Russia. Sir Keir emphasized the need to ramp up pressure.
Court Details
At the Old Bailey trial, Lavrynovych was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire, reckless as to whether life was endangered, on May 11 and 12 last year. The attacks were orchestrated by El Money via Telegram, offering £3,000 in cryptocurrency if the blazes were filmed and made news.
Police Comments
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said there was no indication El Money was a "state threat," but the motivation was to "cause concern" and "disruption" in the UK community and "fear" for the Prime Minister.
A third defendant, Ukrainian Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared of conspiracy to commit arson.
