Two Men Convicted Over Arson Attacks on Properties Linked to Keir Starmer
Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, faced conviction by an Old Bailey jury for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit arson.
The attacks, occurring in May 2025, targeted a Toyota vehicle previously owned by Sir Keir in north London. Days later, two residential properties were set ablaze, one of which was rented to the Prime Minister's sister-in-law and remained under his ownership.
Prosecutors detailed how Lavrynovych carried out the arsons after an online recruitment by a Russian-speaking Telegram user known as "El Money," who promised payment for the actions. Lavrynovych was acquitted of intent to endanger life but found guilty of reckless endangerment of life through fire.
A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared of the conspiracy charge. All three men, residents of London, had denied conspiring to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025.
The court heard that "El Money" directed Lavrynovych, instructing him to dispose of clothing and offering advice after the final arson, stating: "Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I'll send you money, you need to leave the city." Lavrynovych was arrested hours later.
Lawyers for Lavrynovych sought information on "El Money's" potential links to intelligence services or state informant status, describing his actions as "redolent of tradecraft." However, the judge dismissed the application as "wholly irrelevant."
While the trial focused on the financial motivations of the defendants, the identity and broader motives of the handler who orchestrated the attacks remained undisclosed during proceedings.
