Three men were found guilty on Monday of arson attacks on the premises of Ukraine-linked companies in London that British authorities say were ordered by the "Wagner" group, in the latest malicious act by Moscow in Britain, Reuters reported.
Last year's fires in an industrial area in east London were set at two sites, one of which was a company supplying supplies to Ukraine, including satellite equipment for "Starlink" – Elon Musk's internet service provider.
At the start of the trial last month, prosecutor Duncan Penny told London's Old Bailey court that the arsons were orchestrated by 21-year-old Dylan Earle, who pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced under the National Security Act.
Earle's guilty plea to endangering life made him the first person to be convicted under the National Security Act, which was passed last year in connection with hostile acts by foreign states.
Penny said Earle "knowingly acted at the behest of the Wagner Group, which is banned in the UK and a designated terrorist organisation." "He knew he was acting against Ukrainian interests, in favour of Russian interests", the prosecutor added.
Three other men - 23-year-old Nee Kojo Mensah, 23-year-old Jacqueem Rose and 20-year-old Ugnius Asmena - denied arson charges but were found guilty at the "Old Bailey", while 61-year-old Paul English was acquitted of the same charges.
Dmitrijus Paulauskas (23) and Ashton Evans (20) denied two charges of having information about terrorist acts but failing to report it.
Evans was convicted on one charge and acquitted on the other, while Paulauskas was acquitted on both.