‘Russian spy’ Brit charged with masterminding arson attack on Ukrainian aid centre in first Wagner Group plot on UK soil
A BRIT "Russian spy" has been charged with masterminding an arson attack in the first Wagner Group-led plot on British soil.
Dylan Earl was charged under the National Security Act 2023, which was brought in last year to catch those working secretly for hostile states in the UK.
Four other men, Paul English, Nii Mensah, Jake Reeves and Dmitrijus Paulauska have also been charged.
Earl, 20, is accused of masterminding and paying for an arson attack on an Ukrainian aid centre in London on March 20.
Prosecutors say he allegedly targeted businesses that were linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state.
The alleged plot was revealed for the first time today after reporting restrictions were lifted by a judge.
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Court documents allege Earl is connected to the proscribed terrorist organisation the Wagner Group.
Prosecutor David Cawthorne said: "Mr Earl acted as a conduit.
"He was recruited online by those acting on behalf of Russia and the terrorist organisation the Wagner group to recruit others and engage in malign activity.
"The arson which caused a significant fire in a commercial premises was intended to send out the message that if you assist Ukraine there will be punishment to follow."
Firefighters took more than four hours to extinguish the flames after the fire broke out in Leyton, East London.
Reeves and Paulauska appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today but were not required to enter any pleas to the charges.
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They will join the three other defendants for a hearing at the Old Bailey on May 10.
Earl is charged with aggravated arson reckless as to whether life will be endangered, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971, preparatory conduct to an act endangering life or a person or an act creating a serious risk to the health and safety of the public in the United Kingdom contrary to section 18 National Security Act 2023, and assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section 3 National Security Act 2023.
Reeves is accused of aggravated arson reckless as to whether life will be endangered, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 17(2) and (11) of the National Security Act 2023.
English and Mensah are both charged with aggravated arson reckless as to whether life will be endangered, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.
Paulauska is accused of having information about terrorist acts, contrary to section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000.
What is the Wagner Group?
The Wagner Group, officially known as PMC Wagner, is a Russian paramilitary organisation that was founded in 2014.
It was run by Putin's former close ally Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Russia calls the Wagner Group a "private military company," though it has been labelled as a network of mercenaries by others.
It is believed that, as of December 2022, the Wagner Group had an estimated 50,000 personnel inside Ukraine.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us.
“Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.
“We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across counter terrorism policing to meet these.
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“While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter."