‘Wagner Group operative’ charged over arson in London

The first person to be charged under the new National Security Act is an alleged operative of the Wagner Group, the mercenaries who have fought for Russia in Ukraine, Syria and Africa.

Dylan Earl, 20, from Leicester, is accused of conduct that would benefit Russia and of endangering life or creating a serious risk to the safety of the public. He and two other men are accused of aggravated arson at a commercial premises in Leyton, east London.

The property is owned by the parcel delivery services Oddisey and Meest UK. Both are owned by a British-Ukrainian businessman who lives in London. The companies have been involved in sending aid to Ukraine since the war began more than two years ago.

Earl appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court last Saturday but his identity can now be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted.

The charges state that he agreed to carry out target reconnaissance and attempted to recruit individuals to assist with conduct that would “materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities”.

The Wagner Group, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK, was created in 2014 by Yevgeny Prigozhin and has fought in Ukraine, Syria and parts of Africa.

It is considered one of the world’s most battle-hardened mercenary groups and was central to President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, especially during the bloody battle for Bakhmut.

Prigozhin died in a plane crash in western Russia in August, two months after he attempted an aborted mutiny and advanced towards Moscow with his troops.

The National Security Act became law in December, replacing the Official Secrets Act. The government has updated espionage offences in a bid to combat hostile states including Russia.

Earl is the only defendant charged with offences under the new act.

He has also been charged with aggravated arson with Paul English, 60, and Nii Kojo Menash, 21. The fire caused serious damage at the Leyton commercial premises in March.

Between February 1 and April 18 this year Earl is accused of breaching section 18 of the act, intending to commit an act “endangering the life of a person or an act creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public in the United Kingdom”.

He is also accused of “agreeing to undertake fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to assist with such activity, intending that conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities”. That alleged offence dates between December 20, 2021, and April 18 this year.

New arrests

On Friday two men were arrested and charged in connection with the ongoing investigation. Jake Reeves, 22, was accused of aggravated arson and obtaining a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.

Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, a British-Russian dual citizen who is studying aircraft engineering, was charged with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts. Reeves and Paulauska appeared in Westminster magistrate’s court. They only spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses, and were not asked to enter a plea.

The court was told that the arson was an organised and planned attack in return for a substantial payment. It was said that Reeves told Paulauska, who was doing work experience at Biggin Hill Airfield, of his plan to commit arson and plot to kidnap someone.

“He failed to notify the authorities,” Ashlynn Burns, for Paulauska, said. “He didn’t take Mr Reeves’s disclosure seriously”.

Earl, Mensah, English and Reeves were remanded in custody before a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on May 10. Paulauska, who has been released on conditional bail, is also scheduled to attend the hearing.

Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Dylan Earl is alleged to have engaged in conduct targeting businesses which were linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state. Included in the alleged activity was involvement in the planning of an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in March 2024.”

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s counterterrorism command, which is leading the investigation, said: “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us. Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.” He said the investigation was continuing but that it was not thought there was a wider threat to the public.

Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, said: “The first charges under the National Security Act 2023, as announced by the CPS, demonstrates its value in protecting the UK from those who threaten our way of life. We will continue to work with partners to crack down on threats from Russia and anyone facilitating hostile activities.”