UK Court Convicts Three Men for Wagner-Orchestrated Arson Attack on Humanitarian Aid Warehouse

In a significant ruling, a UK court has convicted three men for their involvement in a coordinated arson attack on a London warehouse. The warehouse, which was instrumental in supplying aid and satellite equipment to Ukraine, was targeted in an act of arson orchestrated on behalf of the Russian mercenary group, the Wagner Group.

Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, and Nii Mensah, 23, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of being recruited to carry out the devastating fire. The attack, which occurred on March 20, 2024, at the Cromwell Industrial Estate in Leyton, east London, resulted in approximately £1 million worth of damage. The prosecution successfully argued that these individuals were part of a larger plot with ties to foreign intelligence operations.

The court heard that the operation was masterminded by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23. Both had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, explicitly acting on behalf of the Wagner Group. The UK government’s designation of the Wagner Group as a proscribed terrorist organization underscores the severity of the charges and the context of the attack.

The conviction of Earl under the National Security Act of 2023 marks a landmark moment, as he is the first individual to be convicted under this legislation. The Act was specifically introduced to address the escalating threat of hostile state activities and foreign interference. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Earl’s use of the messaging application Telegram to maintain communications with the Wagner Group, highlighting the sophisticated and covert nature of the operation.

During the blaze, which broke out shortly before midnight, eight fire engines were dispatched to the scene. A lorry driver, whose bravery was acknowledged, attempted to combat the flames before the arrival of emergency services but was unsuccessful. The warehouse’s contents, crucial for supporting Ukraine, were significantly impacted by the fire.

In addition to the three convicted men, Paul English, 61, faced charges related to recruitment for the arson and obtaining money from a foreign intelligence service. However, he was found not guilty of these charges. Furthermore, Ashton Evans was found guilty of one count of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, while being cleared on another. Dmitrijus Paulauskas, a sixth individual, was found not guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.

This case brings to light the severe implications of foreign interference and mercenary group involvement in acts of terrorism within the UK. The convictions serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges and the importance of legislation like the National Security Act in combating them.