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Crypto Offer Sparks Trial Over Starmer Car Arson

4/29/2026

42 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Telegram user “El Money” allegedly offered cryptocurrency to three men to burn Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former car and two homes.
Roman Lavrynovych, Petro Pochynok and Stanislav Carpiuc deny the conspiracy charges as prosecutors present 320 Telegram messages promising payment.
The May 2023 arson on a Toyota Rav4 and houses caused no injuries, with the Old Bailey trial, heard by Mr Justice Garnham, running until the end of May.

History

Historical Context

In April 1999 David Copeland detonated three nail bombs in Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho, killing three and injuring about 140, he funded the plot with £2,500 from savings and online donations. By May 2023 the Old Bailey, before Mr Justice Garnham, heard a Telegram user offering cryptocurrency for arson, illustrating a shift from cash to digital finance that the 2021 Online Safety Bill now seeks to curb.

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Story summary

Telegram user “El Money” allegedly offered cryptocurrency to three men to burn Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former car and two homes.
Roman Lavrynovych, Petro Pochynok and Stanislav Carpiuc deny the conspiracy charges as prosecutors present 320 Telegram messages promising payment.
The May 2023 arson on a Toyota Rav4 and houses caused no injuries, with the Old Bailey trial, heard by Mr Justice Garnham, running until the end of May.

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