Two out of the three individuals accused of planning arson attacks on two residences and a vehicle connected to Keir Starmer have entered not guilty pleas for conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Petro Pochynok, 34, both Ukrainians, formally submitted their pleas via video link from HMP Belmarsh in south-east London.
It was mentioned in court that the prosecution is not suggesting any terrorist ties or national security implications in this case. The third defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, a Ukrainian-born Romanian citizen aged 26, appeared at the hearing but did not offer a plea as he had recently parted ways with his legal team.
During the proceedings, all three defendants, located in different areas within the same prison, communicated with the court through interpreters, including one proficient in Russian for Carpiuc. Lavrynovych, an aspiring model from Sydenham, South East London, appeared in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, while Pochynok from Islington, North London, and roofer Carpiuc from Chadwell Heath, East London, were also dressed in grey tracksuits.
The court was informed that Carpiuc, who had numerous interactions with his previous legal team, had submitted an “inadequate” witness statement to the court, whereas his co-defendants had not yet filed any statements.
Presiding at the Old Bailey, Her Honour Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb scheduled a further case management hearing on November 28, with a trial anticipated for the coming year. She emphasized to the trio the gravity of the case, describing the circumstances as “opaque.”
All charges pertain to three distinct incidents that occurred within a five-day span. The initial incident took place on May 8 when a 2018 Toyota Rav 4, previously owned by the prime minister and later sold to a neighbor, was discovered ablaze on a street in Kentish Town, north London.
Subsequently, three days later, a fire was detected at flats associated with the Prime Minister in Islington, leading to the rescue of an individual by breathing apparatus-wearing crews. Finally, on May 12, a third fire was found at the entrance of Sir Keir’s four-bedroom rented home in Kentish Town.
The Labour leader had resided in the £2 million property with his family before moving to 10 Downing Street in July of the previous year.