Suspects in arson attacks linked to UK PM appear in court

Three men, including two Ukrainians, charged over arson attacks on properties and a car linked to UK prime minister Keir Starmer will go on trial in April 2026, a court ruled Friday. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appeared at London’s Old Bailey court via video link from Belmarsh high-security prison, where they are being held.The third suspect, Petro Pochynok, 34, refused to leave his cell to attend the hearing. All three are suspected of involvement in the fire that targeted Starmer’s former residence in Kentish Town, north London, on the night of May 11-12, causing damage to the entrance of the house.The Labour leader has not lived there since moving to 10, Downing Street when he became prime minister last July, but he still owns it, according to British media. Ukrainian-born Lavrynovych faces three charges of arson with intent to endanger life.Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, and Carpiuc, 26, a Ukrainian-born Romanian, are both charged with conspiring to commit arson with intent to endanger life.Lavrynovych and Carpiuc spoke through an interpreter to confirm their identities. Their trial has been scheduled for April 27, 2026. The next hearing, when the three men will submit their pleas, is scheduled for October 17. They will remain in custody until then. The trio are also suspected of being behind an arson attack on a vehicle previously owned by the prime minister on May 8 and another at the front door of a house once owned by Starmer on May 11. Carpiuc’s lawyer Jay Nutkins told the court on Friday that his client “denies he was part of any conspiracy” and that he was “not present” at the scene of the fires. A fourth man was arrested and taken into custody on Monday as part of the investigation.