Two British men, Dylan Earl, 20, from Elmesthorpe in Leicestershire, and Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, have been charged with aiding Russian intelligence following a suspected arson attack
on a Ukraine-linked business. The incident, which occurred at a warehouse in east London in March, triggered a national security investigation led by Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism officers.
This marks the first instance of individuals being charged under the new National Security Act 2023. Three other suspects associated with the fire have been apprehended on separate charges.
Mr. Earl appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week, facing a charge of aggravated arson in addition to the accusations related to aiding Russian intelligence. Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, was charged with failing to disclose information to the police about terrorist acts, while two other men, Nii Mensah, 21, from Thornton Heath, and Paul English, 60, from Roehampton, faced charges of aggravated arson, though not suspected of national security offenses.
The investigation stems from a fire at an industrial estate on Staffa Road in Leyton, ignited using an accelerant such as petrol. The targeted businesses, identified as parcel delivery services Oddisey and Meest UK, are owned by Mykhaylo Prykhodko and his wife Jelena Boikova.
Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated that Mr. Earl is accused of targeting businesses associated with Ukraine to benefit the Russian state, including planning the arson attack in March 2024.
The charges against Mr. Earl and Mr. Reeves include offenses under the National Security Act 2023, designed to combat espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference, reflecting the government's efforts to fortify defenses against hostile activities targeting the UK's democracy, economy, and values.
Mr. Earl's charges include preparing an act endangering public safety, assisting a foreign intelligence service, and aggravated arson, while Mr. Reeves faces charges of obtaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service and aggravated arson. All five suspects are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on May 10. Photo by Cnyborg, Wikimedia commons.