A third man has been charged in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties in London linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Petro Pochynok, a 34-year-old Ukrainian national residing in north London, has been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
Pochynok is accused of conspiring with two previously charged individuals—Roman Lavrynovych, 21, a Ukrainian national from Sydenham, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, a Romanian national from Romford—as well as others unknown. He is also charged with intending to damage property and to endanger life or acting with recklessness as to whether life would be endangered.
The charges relate to a string of incidents occurring between April 17 and May 13. These include a vehicle fire in NW5 on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on May 11, and a residential fire in NW5 during the early hours of May 12. All three incidents are linked to a prominent public figure, prompting the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command to lead the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said the charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service following Pochynok’s arrest in the Chelsea area on May 19.
Lavrynovych appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 16, while Carpiuc appeared on May 20. Both have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on June 6.
Pochynok is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, May 21, at 10 a.m.
The Metropolitan Police have appealed for further information from the public. “Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May,” the spokesperson said.
