UK Convicts 2 Men in $4,000 Arson Plot Targeting Starmer Properties
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 15
UK Convicts 2 Men in $4,000 Arson Plot Targeting Starmer Properties
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 15
Summary
A London jury found Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, guilty of conspiring to torch properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a months-long trial.
Prosecutors said a Russian-speaking handler using the alias “El Money” recruited Lavrynovych on Telegram in May 2025, offering about $4,000 in cryptocurrency to carry out attacks meant to cause unrest.
The attacks unfolded over five days and hit a house Starmer had vacated on becoming prime minister, a house he part-owned and a former car; Lavrynovych was also convicted on two arson counts endangering lives.
Counter Terrorism Policing said there was no evidence the men knew they were targeting the prime minister or that the plot was state-sponsored, though officers said the online tasker sought fear and uncertainty in the UK.
A BBC investigation published Monday separately alleged the sabotage campaign led back to the Russian state and identified “El Money” as diplomat Evgeny Lyukshin, a claim Russia’s embassy rejected; sentencing is due Friday.