First Briton is charged with working for Russia's Wagner Group: Man, 20, 'was ... trends now
The first Briton has been charged with working for Russia's Wagner Group after being accused of torching a Ukrainian aid centre under new spy laws.
Dylan Earl is the first person to be charged under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states within the UK.
Now it can be revealed that the 20-year-old from Leicestershire is alleged to be at the centre of an extraordinary Russian attack on British soil to target Ukrainian supplies.
Earl is accused of recruiting others to carry out an arson attack on an aid collection centre in East London to send a 'message' on behalf of Russia that assistance to Ukraine will be met with 'punishment'.
It is said to be the first attack orchestrated by the Wagner Group on British soil.
Dylan Earl is accused of recruiting others to carry out an arson attack on an aid collection centre in East London
Details of the alleged plot can be revealed today after reporting restrictions were lifted by a judge following a series of arrests by British counter terrorism police.
Earl was charged last week with a raft of offences including assisting a foreign intelligence service by carrying out reconnaissance of targets and aggravated arson 'in relation to activity intended to benefit Russia'.
But the case was shrouded in secrecy at the time due to 'operational activity' being carried out by Met officers which has now concluded.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard that Earl had caused a serious fire at two industrial units in Leyton, East London owned by a Ukrainian businessman which is advertised on charity websites as an aid collection centre for Ukrainians.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters spent more than four hours tackling the blaze at the industrial estate which started just before midnight on March 20.
Prosecutor David Cawthorne said Earl had been recruited online by Russia's Wagner group to carry out the attack.
He told the court: 'Mr Earl acted as a conduit.
'He was recruited online by those acting on behalf of Russia and the terrorist organisation the Wagner group to recruit others and engage in malign activity.
'The arson which caused a significant fire in a commercial premises was intended to send out the message that if you assist Ukraine there will be punishment to follow.'
He is accused of recruiting two other British men to pour petrol over the shutter of the warehouses which are owned by a Ukrainian logistics firm.
The suspect is accused of recruiting two other British men to pour petrol over the shutter of the warehouses
