Author: EMMA BURROWS european security correspondent, ABC News
Published on: 24/10/2025 | 14:54:22
AI Summary:
Five men were sentenced for their roles in an arson attack in London. They were involved in a plot to set fire to a warehouse in east London in March 2024. The arson was organized on behalf of the Wagner paramilitary group. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said he was part of a “pernicious” plot organized by Moscow. The arson in East London caused 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) in damage to a warehouse owned by a Ukrainian couple who shipped StarLink satellite communication devices to Ukraine. Earl and his co-conspirators talked about burning down London businesses owned by Evgeny Chichvarkin. Earl also discussed burning down a warehouse in the Czech Republic for 47,000. At sentencing, the court heard how Earl also tried to pay someone identified as a serving British soldier for intelligence. Polish authorities have investigated arson attacks on shopping centers, industrial areas and apartment buildings. In 2024, a Colombian man was directed on the Telegram messaging app to set fire to two warehouses in Poland. Like Earl, he was given the location for the fires, instructions on how and when to set them and told to provide video evidence to Russia’s intelligence services to get paid. Five men were sentenced Friday alongside Earl for their roles in the arson. Ashton Evans, 20, was sentenced to nine years in prison for failing to disclose information about terrorist acts. Armed police swooped on Earl to arrest him in the parking lot of a home improvement store. “I hope you guys have some good proof,” Earl told officers.
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