Mysterious Russian-speaking handler orchestrated arson attack on Keir Starmer’s former home

Mysterious Russian-speaking handler orchestrated arson attack on Keir Starmer’s former home Ukrainian builder Roman Lavrynovych, 22, was recruited by a Russian speaking Telegram account known as ‘El Money’ - Bookmark A Russian-speaking mastermind known as ‘El Money’ paid two men to set fire to homes and a car linked to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to spark fear and “unrest” in Britain. A mysterious Telegram account tasked criminal proxies for the arson attacks on Sir Keir’s former home last May. Ukrainian builder Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of plotting to damage property by an Old Bailey jury. Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared of the same charge. The attacks began when a Toyota Rav4 which was previously owned by the prime minister was set alight in Kentish Town, north London, in the early hours of 8 May last year. Within days fires were also lit in the entrance to a block of flats where Sir Keir used to live and at his house, which he had rented to his sister-in-law after moving into No 10. She and her family were asleep in their beds when Lavrynovych set fire to the doorway, potentially cutting off a route of escape. The anonymous Russian-speaking social media account behind the attacks had offered Lavrynovych £3,000 in cryptocurrency if the blazes were filmed and got on the news. The construction worker was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire, being reckless as to whether life was endangered on 11 and 12 May last year. A BBC investigation has claimed ‘El Money’ has links to the highest levels of power in Moscow, however Counter Terrorism Policing has said there is no evidence to suggest they are “state threat”. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, said although the mastermind’s identity remains unknown, the attack was “intended to cause concern, disruption, and impact on individuals and the community within the UK”. “I think the intention of the defendants was clearly to take payment, and to carry out a crime for money,” she added. “There was no ideological motivation around that, and there’s no evidence to suggest that they knew who they were targeting, and that that was the prime minister or properties linked to the prime minister. “However, clearly the intention from the online tasker was to create fear, both for the victim and the prime minister, and cause uncertainty, unrest, for the UK.” A government spokesman described the attacks as “abhorrent” and thanked the police and Crown Prosecution Service for bringing those responsible to justice. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said “no one should face intimidation, threats or attacks” due to their role in politics. She said: “Keir Starmer and I disagree on many things, but good people across the political spectrum will welcome today’s verdicts, condemn these appalling attacks which seem to have been sponsored by Russia and wish the PM and his family well. “Whatever our political differences, no-one should face intimidation, threats or attacks because they hold public office. “Democracy is settled at the ballot box, not through fear or violence and definitely not through foreign interference from hostile countries.” The Old Bailey heard how Lavrynovych had tried to rope in Mr Pochynok to film the car blaze after first approaching his friend Carpiuc. Three nights later, a blaze was reported at a property in nearby Islington which was managed by a company previously linked to the prime minister. Jurors were shown a video shot by Lavrynovych of a lit match being thrown on to accelerant on the doorstep of the address. A resident of the top-floor flat was woken by the smell of smoke about half-an-hour later and escaped to the roof to call the fire brigade. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said the fire spread to the hallway inside the building, posing an “obvious” risk to the occupants. In the early hours of the following morning, the prime minister’s former home in Kentish Town was also targeted. His sister-in-law Judith Alexander, who lived there with her partner and daughter, said in a statement: “All of a sudden I heard two bangs. It was very loud and sounded like two wheelie bins had been thrown at the door. “I did not see anyone on the street but when I looked down I saw smoke and an orange glow where the front door was.” As thick smoke crept upstairs, Ms Alexander said she had tried to call her sister Victoria, the prime minister’s wife. She described her fear at the thought of “what might have happened” had she not woken up. In the aftermath of the attacks, El Money encouraged Lavrynovych to flee, saying: “Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I’ll send you money, you need to leave the city. “If the police detain you, secretly write the word, ‘geranium’ and I’ll send a lawyer to you, I’ll give you money for a week and a new phone. We won’t be in touch for a week.” Lavrynovych, of Sydenham, south London, was charged on 15 May last year. Two days later, Carpiuc was stopped at Luton Airport as he waited for a flight to Romania. In his defence, construction worker Lavrynovych admitted setting fire to the property but claimed he had been threatened by El Money. The true identity of El Money remains a mystery but Lavrynovych said he believed him to be “powerful” with political connections. He had previously tasked him to paint racist graffiti on an Islamic community centre and post anti-Muslim fliers for money, the court heard. Hotel worker Carpiuc, from Romford, east London, said he had refused to get involved and told Lavrynovych the plan was “stupid” and illegal. His former housemate, Mr Pochynok, who was working in construction and as a Harrods delivery driver, told jurors that he did not know about the car arson plan until it was too late. Mr Pochynok, of Islington, north London, said he thought Lavrynovych wanted him to help a mutual friend with heavy suitcases and had run away when he handed him a camera phone to film. Following the verdicts, Frank Ferguson, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “These were deliberate and dangerous acts of arson carried out against properties and a vehicle linked to the prime minister, and they posed a serious risk to life. “Such offences go beyond damage to property – they are intended to intimidate and undermine public confidence, and that will not be tolerated. “Today’s convictions demonstrate that those who commit criminal acts, including acts of arson, to pursue their, or others’ agendas, will be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted robustly.” The pair will be sentenced on Friday.