By Rebecca Camber
A British man, Dylan Earl, has been convicted for arson linked to the Wagner Group, marking a significant milestone as the first individual found guilty under the new National Security Act.
The 20-year-old from Leicestershire admitted to setting fire to a Ukrainian-owned parcel business in London, which had been misrepresented as an aid collection center for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This incident, occurring earlier this year, was described as the first attack orchestrated by the Wagner Group on British soil.
Earl was accused of orchestrating the fire in exchange for payment from the infamous mercenary group. In court, he pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and preparatory actions that endangered lives, violating the National Security Act enacted last year to combat covert operations by hostile states within the UK. However, he denied charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service, which will remain on file.
Prosecutor Duncan Penny, KC, indicated that while the charge of assisting a foreign intelligence service would not be pursued, further offenses related to the National Security Act will be reviewed during sentencing.
At an earlier hearing, prosecutor David Cawthorne detailed how Earl had been recruited online by the Wagner Group to execute the attack as a warning from Russia against support for Ukraine. Cawthorne stated, “Mr. Earl acted as a conduit,” highlighting his connections with individuals aligned with the group through a Telegram channel.
Earl reportedly expressed interest in conducting missions for the Wagner Group and was tasked by his handler to gather information about specific individuals and locations in the UK. His motivations seemed tied to aspirations for wealth and status.
Following his arrest on April 10, authorities examined Earl’s phone, uncovering searches related to the Russian invasion and the Wagner Group, as well as evidence of arson and cryptocurrency. His device contained disturbing images, including those of firearms, and a cryptocurrency account holding over £58,000.
Earl was allegedly involved in recruiting others to assist in the arson, which caused significant damage to the two industrial units owned by a Ukrainian businessman in Leyton, East London. Firefighters faced a challenging situation, as eight engines and about 60 personnel battled the blaze for over four hours, which began shortly before midnight on March 20. Remarkably, a lorry driver asleep in his vehicle was alerted to the fire and managed to escape before the flames engulfed the premises.
Now facing the possibility of a life sentence, Earl has admitted to actions that posed serious risks to public safety, in violation of Section 18 of the National Security Act 2023. His sentencing date is yet to be determined.