UK man is accused of arson after becoming a spy for Russia

A British man accused of masterminding an arson plot on a Ukraine-linked business in London after allegedly being recruited as a Russian spy has appeared in court.

Dylan Earl has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 – the first case to involve alleged offences under the new spy legislation.

Four other men, Paul English, Nil Mensah, Jake Reeves and Dmitrijus Paulauska have also been charged in connection with the case.

Mr 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 say.

Court documents show he is alleged to be connected to the terrorist group the Wagner Group.

He appeared at London’s Old Bailey yesterday via video link from HMP Belmarsh, where he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

The 20-year-old, from Leicestershire, is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate Leyton, east London on March 20.

He was joined in court by Mr Paulauska (22). He spoke only to confirm his name and confirm he understood his bail conditions – which include a curfew and surrendering his passports.

The three other defendants, Mr English, Mr Mensah and Mr Reeves, did not attend the brief hearing. The case was adjourned until October 4 for a pre-trial hearing.

Mr Earl is alleged to have targeted businesses which were linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The blaze required 60 firefighters to bring it under control and the alleged target of the fire is labelled as “Mr X” in the charges.

Mr Reeves and Mr Paulaska previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month where they were not required to enter pleas.

Mr Reeves was remanded in custody and Mr Paulauska was granted conditional.

The National Security Act, which became law in December last year, is legislation to toughen laws on hostile acts against the UK.