US EditionRingleader behind arson attack and kidnap plot was 'groomed' by Russian chatbot, court told
Dylan Earl and five others were convicted for orchestrating arson and a kidnapping plot linked to the Wagner Group, causing about £1 million in damage, court heard.
- On March 20, Dylan Earl admitted planning the Leyton warehouse arson that caused about 1 million of damage, including Starlink satellite equipment, under the instruction of the proscribed Wagner Group.
- Court was told the direction came from PrivetBot, Russian-language chatbot on encrypted Telegram, which groomed Earl and instructed him to use The Americans as a `manual` for covert missions.
- Court heard he recruited Jakeem Rose, 23, from Croydon, and Nii Mensah, 23, from Thornton Heath, while fixer Ugnius Asmena, 21, waited nearby; Earl never met recruits in person.
- On Thursday, Earl and Reeves appeared at the Old Bailey to be sentenced alongside five other men, with Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb expected to hand down sentences on Friday; Ashton Evans was convicted of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.
- They plotted arson attacks on Hide restaurant and Hedonism Wines, Mayfair, and planned to kidnap Evgeny Chichvarkin, a wealthy Russian dissident and refugee; the court heard the Kremlin denies involvement despite evidence of Wagner Group operatives.
21 Articles
21 Articles
London Gang Imprisoned For Russian-Backed Arson Attack
Six men have been jailed for taking part in an arson attack initiated by Russia, which damaged a London warehouse supplying aid to Ukraine. The group’s leader, 21-year-old drug dealer Dylan Earl, was recruited by the Wagner Group to organise the action, which took place in March last year. Under the new national security law, Earl was sentenced to 23 years in prison. The other five men received sentences of between eight and 12 years, for roles …
Ringleader behind arson attack and kidnap plot was 'groomed' by Russian chatbot, court told
Dylan Earl, 21, a builder and part-time drug dealer, has been cast by his defence as a cannabis-smoking gamer who was involved in "desperate, pathetic and delusional" message exchanges with a Russian chatbot controlled by the Wagner Group.
Britain Unveils Russian-linked Arson and Kidnapping Plot with Ties to Revolut
Dylan Earl, involved in a plot targeting Ukraine-linked businesses, aimed to kidnap Revolut's co-founder and discussed arson activities with a Russian handler. The British court heard plans for multiple attacks, depicting a long-term sabotage campaign against UK interests. Earl's actions were tied to Russia's Wagner group, implicating international tensions.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
