A British man is accused of masterminding an arson plot on London businesses after allegedly being recruited as a Russian spy.
Dylan Earl, 20, from Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, has been charged under the National Security Act 2003 the first case to involve alleged offences under the new legislation.
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Four other men have also been charged in connection with the case, it can now be revealed.
They are Paul English, 60, from Roehampton; Nil Mensah, 21, from Thornton Heath, South London; Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, South London; and Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, from Croydon.
Earl is accused of undertaking fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities, prosecutors say.
Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said: “This is a highly significant moment and investigation for us. Not only are the charges that have been authorised by the CPS extremely serious, but it is also the first time that we have arrested, and now charged anyone using the powers and legislation brought in under the National Security Act.
“We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across Counter Terrorism Policing to meet these.
“While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter. This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought about I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”
The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and has been supported by officers from CTP East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, CTP South East and Kent Police. Enquiries remain ongoing.
