A court has revealed that arsonists were captured “livestreaming” their act of setting ablaze a warehouse that provided Starlink satellite equipment to Ukraine, having been recruited by agents of the Russian mercenary organization Wagner.
The fire, which occurred on March 20 last year in Leyton, east London, resulted in approximately £1 million in damages, as detailed at the Old Bailey.
Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, orchestrated the incident and have pleaded guilty to aggravated arson for the Wagner Group as well as violations of the National Security Act, the jury was informed.
Additionally, Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23, and Paul English, 61, were allegedly enlisted to carry out the arson.
During the trial’s opening on Wednesday, prosecutor Duncan Penny KC asserted that the evidence against the accused was “overwhelming.”
He indicated that their movements were tracked through CCTV, traffic cameras, and phone records, which followed Mr. English’s Kia Picanto through south London to the location of the fire.
Further footage showed Mr. Rose and Mr. Mensah exiting the vehicle, scaling a wall, and nearing the warehouse, the jurors were told.
It was alleged that Rose filled a jerry can at a nearby petrol station, then doused the warehouse doors with its contents before igniting them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mensah reportedly filmed the incident on his mobile phone and “livestreamed it via FaceTime,” as stated in court.
The jurors learned that a lorry driver who had parked in the vicinity attempted to extinguish the flames but was ultimately unsuccessful, putting himself at considerable risk, Mr. Penny explained.
Eight fire crews responded to the “significant” blaze at the Cromwell Industrial Estate, which erupted just before midnight, causing “extensive damage” and posing a threat to those nearby.
Mr. Penny conveyed to the jury: “This was a deliberate and calculated crime—instigated by external influences.
“For these defendants, their ignorance of this influence at the time of the fire may have stemmed from financial motives—purely driven by greed.
“However, for others involved, the motivations appear to have been both political and ideological.”
He asserted that the warehouse was targeted due to its association with Ukraine and its role in logistics.
The business regularly supplied goods to Ukraine, including Starlink satellite technology, and was engaged in coordinating humanitarian assistance, the court heard.
Earl was characterized as the “mastermind” behind the arson.
Once Reeves learned of the underlying motivation, he showed readiness to accept compensation from a foreign intelligence agency to target individuals and businesses in London, the jury was told.
Earl, residing in Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and Reeves from Croydon, have acknowledged their involvement in plots to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, London, and to kidnap the restaurant owner for the Wagner Group, the court revealed.
Mr. Penny remarked, “It should be clear that these actions aimed to influence the government and intimidate a segment of the public, additionally serving to advance a political and ideological agenda.
“It is pertinent to note that at least one proposed method to attack the Mayfair establishments discussed between Earl and Evans involved an explosion.”
Defendants Rose, from Croydon, Asmena, with no fixed address, Mensah, from Thornton Heath, and English, from Roehampton, have all pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated arson.
Two additional defendants, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, from Croydon, each face two counts of failing to report information related to terrorist acts, which they also deny.
The trial is ongoing.
