Two out of three individuals charged with planning arson attacks on two residences and a vehicle associated with Keir Starmer have entered not guilty pleas to the charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Petro Pochynok, 34, both Ukrainians, made their pleas via video link from HMP Belmarsh in south-east London.
During the court proceedings, it was clarified that the prosecution does not assert any terrorist connections or national security implications in this case. The third defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, a 26-year-old Ukrainian-born Romanian national, was also present at the hearing but did not provide a plea as he had recently parted ways with his legal representatives.
All three defendants, held in separate rooms within the same prison, communicated with the court through interpreters, including a Russian interpreter for Carpiuc. Lavrynovych, who aspires to be a model and resides in Sydenham, South East London, appeared in a grey prison-issue tracksuit. Pochynok, living in Islington, North London, and roofer Carpiuc from Chadwell Heath, East London, were also attired in grey tracksuits.
The court was informed that Carpiuc, who had numerous meetings with his previous legal team, submitted an “inadequate” witness statement, while his co-defendants have not filed any statements yet. Her Honour Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, presiding at the Old Bailey, directed all three defendants to appear for a case management hearing on November 28, with a trial anticipated for the following year. She emphasized the gravity of the case and characterized the circumstances as complex.
The charges are related to three distinct incidents that occurred within a five-day span. The first incident involved a 2018 Toyota Rav 4, formerly owned by the Prime Minister and found ablaze on a street in Kentish Town, north London. Subsequently, a fire was discovered at flats associated with the PM in Islington three days later, resulting in a rescue operation. On May 12, another fire was found at the entrance of Sir Keir’s rented four-bedroom home in Kentish Town.
Sir Keir, the Labour leader, resided with his family at the £2 million property before moving to 10 Downing Street in July last year.