Ofcom Presses Telegram Over £3,000 Starmer Arson Recruitment by Russia-Linked Handler
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
Ofcom Presses Telegram Over £3,000 Starmer Arson Recruitment by Russia-Linked Handler
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 19
Summary
Ofcom has contacted Telegram in a pre-investigation after a court heard a Russia-linked handler used the app to recruit men to torch properties tied to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
More than 320 Telegram messages showed handler “El Money” offering Roman Lavrynovych, 22, £3,000 in cryptocurrency to burn a car and two houses, film the attacks and get them into the news.
Lavrynovych was convicted of conspiring to commit the May 2025 arsons, while Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, was found guilty on one arson count; both are due to be sentenced Friday.
The scrutiny tests Telegram’s duties under Britain’s Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to assess and mitigate illegal content rather than follow regulator orders on specific posts.
Telegram, already under an Ofcom child-safety investigation opened in April, did not comment on the latest inquiry.
A Russian diplomat ordered arson in London via Telegram. Can regulators truly police offshore messaging apps?
With its CEO arrested and linked to terror plots, is Telegram's defiance of global law finally over?
Telegram promised users total privacy but shared data. Is any digital communication truly safe from state actors?
UK Starmer Arson Case: Telegram’s Role in Russian Hybrid Attacks and the Push for Stronger Online Safety Laws
Overview
Recent arson attacks on properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer show how online incitement can lead to real-world violence. Counter Terrorism Policing London quickly identified those involved, including Roman Lavrynovych, who carried out the attacks for money. The court found Lavrynovych acted recklessly and was easily influenced, following instructions from a handler via Telegram. These events highlight the dangers of online recruitment for criminal acts and have prompted UK regulators to question social media platforms about their role in such incidents, underlining the urgent need for stronger online safety measures.