UK summons Russian ambassador over charges against two Britons in suspected arson incident
- In Reports
- 02:15 PM, Apr 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
Britain's foreign ministry called upon Russia's ambassador to London following the charging of two British men with aiding Russian intelligence services in connection with a suspected arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in the city.
The British Foreign Office summoned Russia's ambassador in London, alleging Moscow's involvement in "orchestrated malign activity" on UK soil. This move came hours after two British men were charged with aiding Russian intelligence services.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office expressed deep concern over allegations of Russian orchestrated malign activity on UK soil. They also highlighted a wider reported pattern of behaviour by the Russian Federation to sponsor such activity in other sovereign states.
Britain’s Foreign Minister David Cameron expressed deep concern over the allegations in the case, stating that he would use the full weight of the criminal justice system to hold anyone found guilty of crimes linked to foreign interference to account.
In a statement issued, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that it had authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge a British man with "conducting hostile activity in the UK in order to benefit a foreign state – namely Russia."
Dylan Earl, aged 20, and Jake Reeves, aged 22, came under investigation following a significant fire that erupted on an industrial estate in London. According to the prosecution, the fire was initiated using an accelerant such as petrol.
The investigation, led by Police counter-terror officers, also uncovered three other suspects allegedly connected to the suspected arson attack. They are currently in custody facing other charges.
Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, relations between Russia and Britain, which were already strained, have further deteriorated. David Cameron expressed deep concern over the allegations in the case.
David Cameron affirmed on X that the full force of the criminal justice system would be deployed to hold individuals accountable for any crimes associated with foreign interference.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, described the investigation as highly significant. He emphasised that the charges authorised by the CPS were extremely serious and highlighted that it marked the first instance of utilising powers and legislation under the National Security Act.
Reeves, along with Dmirtrijus Paulauskas, was charged with offences related to accepting material benefits from a foreign intelligence service and failing to disclose information about terrorist acts to the police, respectively. Both appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court. All five men are scheduled to appear next in the Old Bailey on May 10.
Image source: Reuters
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