Two Men Convicted of Arson Attacks Targeting U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer

A London court has convicted two men for a series of arson attacks in May 2025 that targeted properties and a vehicle associated with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The verdict was delivered on Monday at the Old Bailey, London's central criminal court.

Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson. A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, a Ukrainian citizen, was acquitted.

Prosecutors said Lavrynovych admitted taking orders from a Russian-language Telegram account operating under a Ukrainian alias, “EL Money.” He was recruited in late 2024 through a social media group for Ukrainians seeking work in London. Lavrynovych claimed he did not know who Starmer was at the time and acted only for financial gain.

The attacks occurred over five days. On May 8, 2025, an SUV previously owned by Starmer was set ablaze on a residential street. Three days later, a fire was ignited at the front door of a multi-apartment building managed by a company where Starmer had been a director and shareholder. Finally, on May 12, the front door of Starmer's former family home in Kentish Town—still owned by him and occupied by his sister-in-law and her family—was also set alight. No one was injured, but the court noted that lives were endangered.

Evidence showed that Lavrynovych received detailed instructions from the EL Money account, including addresses, photos, and guidance on using flammable liquids. The account promised payments of thousands of pounds in cryptocurrency, but the money was never transferred. After the last attack, the account advised Lavrynovych to leave London and, if arrested, to say the word “geranium” to secure a lawyer.

Previously, Lavrynovych had been directed by the same account to spray anti-Muslim graffiti on mosques and post far-right propaganda in England.

At trial, prosecutors did not present evidence on who operated the EL Money account. The defense requested disclosure of any links to foreign intelligence services, but the judge denied it, ruling that the jury could only consider what the defendants knew at the time.

Kinga Redlowska, head of the Belgium-based Centre for Finance and Security, said the case matches a pattern of Russian-linked sabotage operations, often using Ukrainians as disposable recruits. Russia has repeatedly denied engaging in destabilization campaigns.

Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, warned that anonymous online accounts directing arson attacks are a recurring trend in investigations.