In a significant ruling, a British judge has imposed extended prison sentences on two young leaders of a group responsible for arson attacks in the UK, acting under the direction of the Russian state-linked Wagner Group, a private military company.
On Friday, prosecutors detailed a frightening plot in which 21-year-old Dylan Earl and 24-year-old Jake Reeves attempted to orchestrate a “sustained campaign of terrorism and sabotage” within the UK. This follows the Wagner Group’s controversial history, which includes allegations of war crimes like murder and torture across various conflict areas worldwide.
Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb handed down a substantial 17-year sentence to Earl, along with an additional six years on extended license, recognizing his significant role in coordinating multiple attacks. One notable incident included an arson attack in March of the previous year targeting a London warehouse responsible for storing humanitarian supplies and satellite communication equipment intended for Ukraine.
During the proceedings, prosecutors indicated that Earl had even discussed plans with his handler from Wagner about possible kidnap attempts on the co-founder of the finance app Revolut and burning down a warehouse in the Czech Republic.
A police search of Earl’s phone revealed shocking videos of the fire sparking at the east London warehouse, and it was uncovered that he had been in touch with members of Wagner on Telegram.
Co-defendant Reeves was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with one additional year on extended license for his involvement in recruiting individuals for these Wagner-supported attacks.
This case marks the first convictions under the United Kingdom’s newly enacted National Security Act of 2023, which seeks to revive anti-espionage guidelines to match modern threats posed by foreign nations.
Russian-Linked Agents Unmasked
Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized that both Earl and Reeves “acted willingly as hostile agents for the Russian state.” He stated, “This case exemplifies how organizations connected to Russia deploy ‘proxies,’ like these British nationals, to perpetrate serious crimes on their behalf here in the UK.”
He added that there has been a notable uptick in investigations against state threats in recent years, identifying the use of proxies as a tactical choice recently favored by hostile nations like Russia.
Earlier this July, three other British nationals were convicted of aggravated arson related to the fire at the east London warehouse. This event caused significant damages, exceeding one million pounds (approximately $1.3 million) and putting firefighters in jeopardy. The sentences for these individuals were as follows: Nii Mensah, 23, received nine years; Jakeem Rose, also 23, got eight years and ten months; and 21-year-old Ugnius Asmena received a seven-year sentence.
Ashton Evans, aged 20, received a nine-year term for failing to report intelligence about terrorist acts linked to another arson scheme targeting two businesses in central London owned by a Russian dissident.
UK authorities assert that Russia is escalating its espionage and sabotage activities push within the country. The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, claimed that Moscow is actively vying to generate chaos and destruction.
In a separate investigation this week, the Metropolitan Police apprehended three suspects from West and Central London believed to be engaged in espionage for Russia. The specifics surrounding their alleged crimes remain confidential, though they face charges attempting to assist a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act of 2023.
