Russian Speaking ‘El Money’ Recruited Arsonists to Target Starmer, Prosecutors Say

Keir Starmer on April 29.Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg

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By Upmanyu Trivedi

April 29, 2026 at 11:53 AM UTC

Updated on

April 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM UTC

A person who communicated in Russian and used the pseudonym “El Money” promised to pay arsonists to target property linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year, prosecutors said at the start of a London trial.

Roman Lavrynovych, Petro Pochynok and Stanislav Carpiuc are standing trial for arson. Lavrynovych faces two additional charges that he targeted two properties with an intent to endanger life.