UMVA has learned that two men, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, have been sentenced to seven years and two years in prison respectively for orchestrating a series of arson attacks targeting the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The attacks, which took place in north London, saw a car and two houses linked to the Prime Minister set ablaze. The mastermind behind the plot, known only as 'El Money' or 'Hroshi' in Ukrainian, recruited Lavrynovych through the privacy-first communication app, Telegram.
El Money allegedly offered Lavrynovych £3,000 in cryptocurrency to carry out the attacks, providing detailed instructions on the locations of the targets and how to mix flammable liquids purchased from a hardware store. Justice Garnham did not mince words, calling Lavrynovych an 'idiot' and a 'fool' for being used by El Money.
Carpiuc played a supporting role, encouraging his friend Lavrynovych and planning to help him convert the cryptocurrency into cash. The plot was uncovered and brought to justice, with both men now facing the consequences of their actions.
The use of cryptocurrency and a private messaging app to orchestrate the attacks highlights the challenges of policing in the digital age. El Money's true identity remains unknown, leaving questions about their motivations and whether they will be brought to justice.