Two jailed for arson attacks on properties linked to Keir Starmer

Roman Lavrynovych received a seven-year prison sentence at London’s Old Bailey after being convicted of two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, alongside a charge of conspiracy to commit arson. His co-defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, was sentenced to two years for his role in the conspiracy. Prosecutors revealed that the pair were recruited via Telegram by an account operating under the name "EL Money," which offered payment to target the properties. Lavrynovych claimed he was unaware of the political significance of the targets, citing financial desperation to cover his father’s medical bills as his primary motivation.

Judge Neil Garnham condemned the defendants as pawns for an unknown cause, noting that the attacks placed innocent lives at risk. One incident involved the home of Starmer’s sister-in-law, where smoke filled the residence while the family was asleep, leaving a nine-year-old child terrified. While media reports have suggested Russian state involvement, British police stated there is no concrete evidence linking the attacks to Moscow. The Russian embassy has denied any connection to the incidents, labeling the accusations as groundless.