A second individual has been formally charged in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as counter-terrorism investigators intensify efforts to unravel the motives behind the coordinated strikes, according to AP News.
Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, from Romford, east London, faces charges of arson with intent to endanger life following his arrest at Luton Airport on Saturday.
Carpiuc’s charges follow the earlier prosecution of 21-year-old Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, who was remanded in custody last week after being accused of igniting fires at three locations: Starmer’s former family home in Kentish Town, a Toyota RAV4 he previously owned, and a converted flat in Islington where the Prime Minister once resided.
Lavrynovych, a builder by trade, denied the allegations during police interviews but did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He is scheduled for a hearing at the Old Bailey on 6 June.
A third suspect, a 34-year-old man arrested in Chelsea on Monday, remains in custody under suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest but withheld further details, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing counter-terrorism probe.
The trio’s alleged actions span three nights between 8 and 12 May, with no injuries reported despite significant property damage, including a blaze that gutted the Prime Minister’s former car and scorched the entrance of his rented-out Kentish Town residence.
Counter-terrorism units are leading the investigation due to the “connection with a high-profile public figure,” a decision underscoring concerns that the arson campaign may extend beyond ordinary criminality. Detectives are probing potential ideological motives, though no group has claimed responsibility.
The involvement of international suspects, Lavrynovych from Ukraine and Carpiuc from Romania, has further complicated the inquiry, with authorities examining possible transnational links. Meanwhile, the unnamed 34-year-old suspect’s detention period has been extended, allowing investigators to delve deeper into his alleged role in planning the attacks.
