A Briton has been charged with aiding Russia’s terrorist Wagner Group in the first case of its kind.
Dylan Earl is accused under the new National Security Act, aimed at people working in the UK for hostile states. He is said to have organised and paid for arson attacks on an aid centre linked to Ukraine in Leyton, East London, on March 20. Court documents claim he is connected to the Wagner Group. The 20-year-old, from Elmes-thorpe, Leics, is also charged with aiding a foreign intelligence service and arson.
His appearance before Westminster magistrates last week could not then be reported for legal reasons. Jake Reeves, 22, of Croydon, South London, was charged aggravated arson and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service.
Three other men face charges not related to the national security law. All five are due at the Old Bailey on May 10. The Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador over the allegations.
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 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 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.”