Two British men, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, have been charged with aiding Russian intelligence services following a suspected arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business in London. The investigation was initiated after a fire broke out at a warehouse in east London in March. The charges against Earl include planning to target the business, attempting to recruit individuals to assist a foreign intelligence service, fraudulent activity, and arson. Reeves is accused of accepting money from a foreign intelligence service. The prosecution alleges that the Wagner private military group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, was involved in the intelligence operation.
The investigation is linked to a fire at an industrial estate in Leyton, London, which prosecutors say was started using an accelerant such as petrol. Although the charges do not specify the ownership of the targeted businesses, records show they belong to parcel delivery services associated with individuals residing in London.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has summoned the Russian ambassador to address the allegations, expressing deep concern over Russian-orchestrated malign activity on UK soil.
Earl and Reeves are the first individuals to be charged under a new law aimed at modernising offences related to espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference. The law was passed to enhance the UK's defenses against hostile activities by foreign states.
Earl faces charges including preparing an act that endangered public safety, assisting a foreign intelligence service, and aggravated arson. Reeves is charged with obtaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service and aggravated arson.
Other individuals arrested in connection with the investigation include Dmitrijus Paulauska, charged with having information about terrorist acts, Nii Mensah, charged with aggravated arson, and Paul English, charged with aggravated arson. All five are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on 10 May.
No comments:
Post a Comment