Two men convicted of plot to torch property linked to British PM Keir Starmer

A plot to set fire to properties connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resulted in the conviction of two men. Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian citizen Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of conspiracy to damage property by fire at the Old Bailey court. A third individual, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted of the charge.

The fires, which occurred in May 2025, damaged a home Starmer vacated upon becoming prime minister, an apartment building he once co-owned, and destroyed his former Toyota SUV. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incidents. Lavrynovych was also convicted on two counts of arson with the intent to endanger life or recklessly endanger it.

The court heard that the operation was masterminded by a Russian-speaking figure using the alias "El Money." This individual allegedly offered Lavrynovych money through Telegram to carry out the arson and provide video evidence for online dissemination. "El Money" provided detailed instructions on targets, the use of flammable materials, and methods to evade capture. Despite the clear intent to intimidate and create fear, the Metropolitan Police's counterterrorism commander, Helen Flanagan, stated there was no evidence of a hostile state's involvement, as the motives and affiliations of "El Money" could not be determined.

Lavrynovych claimed he acted out of financial need, seeking a 3,000-pound ($5,700) cryptocurrency bounty for his father's medical treatment. He asserted he was threatened by "El Money" and unaware of the property ownership until after the fires, denying any intention to harm individuals. Messages recovered from his phone indicated involvement in other acts of vandalism for payment. Carpiuc reportedly acted as a go-between, while Pochynok was allegedly recruited to film the fires for Lavrynovych to receive payment. The court was told Lavrynovych never received the promised funds.

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Clearly the tasking was to intimidate and create fear for the prime minister and to attack the UK.