Two men in the UK have been sentenced for arson attacks on a car and property linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Ukrainian citizen Roman Lavrynovych received seven years in prison, while Stanislav Karpiuk, a Ukrainian-born Romanian citizen, received two years. The investigation found that the arsons may have been coordinated through a Russian-speaking handler on Telegram. This was reported by the BBC, writes UNN.
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22-year-old Ukrainian citizen Roman Lavrynovych was sentenced to seven years in prison, and 27-year-old Stanislav Karpiuk, a Ukrainian-born Romanian citizen, was sentenced to two years in prison. The verdict was announced by the Old Bailey court.
As the publication found out, the attacks were carried out on the orders of Russia.
Lavrynovych carried out the arsons after being recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram user under the pseudonym "EL", who promised him payment. Previously, the same unknown person had hired him to put up far-right posters.
Judge Mr Justice Garnham called Lavrynovych a "useful idiot" who was easy to manipulate.
According to the judge, he "sold himself cheaply" and "agreed to this job just as he agreed to other dirty little tasks".
Karpiuk, in the court's assessment, played a "supporting role" in the arsons, which the judge called "utterly reckless".
The court heard that in May last year, a Toyota car that previously belonged to Keir Starmer was set on fire on a street in north London.
A few days later, two houses were set on fire, including one that the Prime Minister still owns and was renting to his sister-in-law Judith Alexander.
On Monday, the court found Lavrynovych and Karpiuk guilty.
Lavrynovych was also convicted on alternative charges of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. At the same time, he was acquitted of a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
A third defendant in the case, 35-year-old Petro Pochynok, was found not guilty of conspiracy.
After the arsons, the handler contacted Lavrynovych on May 12, informing him that he would receive cryptocurrency and advising him to get rid of his clothes.
He then urged him to leave the city, but a few hours later Lavrynovych was arrested during a police raid on his home in the Sydenham area.
During questioning, he stated that he did not know who the Prime Minister was and had never heard of Keir Starmer.
London police are investigating a fire at the home of British Prime Minister Starmer12.05.25, 19:26
Lavrynovych's lawyer James Scobie said his client was "just a foot soldier" and "cannon fodder for this type of infiltration".
He added that Lavrynovych regrets what he did and is ashamed of the disgrace he brought upon his family in Ukraine.
The lawyer also said that in one of the messages, "EL" directly stated that it was enough to damage the front door if it would attract media attention.
Karpiuk was arrested on May 17 at Luton Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Romania.
His lawyer Shahid Rashid stated that Karpiuk was merely a "money courier" and did not stand to gain any benefit from the crimes.
According to the defense lawyer, his motive was a desire to help a friend who urgently needed money for his father's medical treatment.
Karpiuk's father told the BBC outside the court that he considers the sentence unfair because the handler has not been arrested or punished.
Lavrynovych's mother, who asked not to be named, said she feels "devastated and ashamed".
She added: "Roman's poor health from early childhood affected his intellect, and I tried to protect him from bad people. But he is very naive.
I would have preferred my son to be sent to Ukraine to defend our country on the front line."
Arson of Keir Starmer's property: another Ukrainian appears in court in Britain21.05.25, 16:30