British man charged with aiding Russia and planning arson attack
A 20-year-old British man has been charged with planning an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked business and assisting Russian intelligence services.
Dylan Earl, from Elmesthorpe in Leicestershire, has been charged under the National Security Act 2023, the first case to involve alleged offences under the new legislation.
Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, has also been charged under the act after a fire at a warehouse in Leyton, east London, in March. Three other men – Paul English, Nii Mensah and Dmitrijus Paulauska – have also been charged in connection with the investigation, it can now be reported, but not under the new legislation.
David Cameron said he was “deeply concerned” about the allegations and the Foreign Office said it had summoned Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin.
Earl is accused of undertaking fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities, prosecutors have said.
He is alleged to have targeted businesses linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. He is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units at an industrial estate in Leyton on 20 March. The blaze required 60 firefighters to bring it under control.
Earl is alleged by prosecutors to be connected to a proscribed terrorist organisation, the Wagner group. The mercenary group has played a prominent role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has also been active in conflicts in Syria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Libya.
Lord Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, said: “While we must let the judicial process run its course, I am deeply concerned by allegations of British nationals carrying out criminal activity on UK soil to benefit the Russian state.
“We will use the full weight of the criminal justice system to hold anyone found guilty of crimes linked to foreign interference to account.”
After summoning the Russian ambassador, an FCO spokesperson said the UK was concerned about claims of “malign activity on UK soil, as well as the wider reported pattern of behaviour we are witnessing on the part of the Russian Federation to sponsor such activity on the territory of other, sovereign states. We call for an immediate cessation of this activity and we will continue to work with our allies to deter and defend against the full spectrum of threats that emanate from Russia.”
Nick Price of the CPS said: “Dylan Earl, 20, is alleged to have engaged in conduct targeting businesses which were linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state.
“Included in the alleged activity was involvement in the planning of an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in March 2024.
“Two further men, Paul English, 60, and Nii Mensah, 21, have also been charged with aggravated arson in connection with this case.
“Another man, Jake Reeves, 22, has been charged with agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service as well as aggravated arson.
“A fifth man, Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, has been charged with having information about terrorist acts.”
English, from Roehampton, southwest London, and Mensah, from Thornton Heath, south London, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday.
Earl appeared at Westminster magistrates court on 20 April. His identity can now be revealed after reporting restrictions were liftedyesterday.
Reeves and Paulauska, from Croydon, south London, appeared at Westminster magistrates court yesterday. All five defendants will appear for a hearing at the Old Bailey on 10 May. They are yet to enter pleas.
Dominic Murphy, the head of the Met’s counter-terrorism command, said: “I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”