Three individuals have been accused of planning arson attacks on two residences and a vehicle associated with Keir Starmer, with two of them entering not guilty pleas for conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Petro Pochynok, 34, both Ukrainians, officially stated their pleas via video link from HMP Belmarsh in south-east London.
During the court proceedings, it was clarified that the prosecution is not asserting any terrorist links or national security implications in this case. The third defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, a 26-year-old Ukrainian-born Romanian national, appeared at the hearing but refrained from giving a plea as he had recently parted ways with his legal representation.
The trio, situated in separate rooms within the same prison, communicated with the court through interpreters, including a Russian speaker for Carpiuc. Lavrynovych, an aspiring model from Sydenham, South East London, appeared in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, while Pochynok from Islington, North London, and roofer Carpiuc from Chadwell Heath, East London, were also attired in grey tracksuits.
It was disclosed in court that Carpiuc had submitted an insufficient witness statement, having already engaged in numerous discussions with his former legal team. The case is scheduled for further management proceedings on November 28 at the Old Bailey, with a trial anticipated for the following year, as directed by Her Honour Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, who emphasized the seriousness and complexity of the case.
The charges stem from three distinct incidents that occurred within a five-day span. The initial incident took place on May 8 when a 2018 Toyota Rav 4, previously owned by the prime minister and later sold to a neighbor, was found ablaze on a street in Kentish Town, north London. Subsequently, a fire erupted at flats associated with the PM in Islington three days later, resulting in a rescue operation by emergency crews. Lastly, on May 12, a fire was discovered at the entrance of Sir Keir’s rented four-bedroom home in Kentish Town.
Formerly, the Labour leader resided in the £2 million property with his family before relocating to 10 Downing Street in July of the previous year.