Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national, has admitted to setting fire to the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s old car in north London in May 2025. Lavrynovych revealed that he carried out the arson after being threatened by a powerful Russian-speaking individual known as El Money.
The arson attack was part of a series of incidents, including two attacks on buildings associated with Sir Keir Starmer. Lavrynovych accepted £3,000 in cryptocurrency for carrying out the car fire.
Threat From El Money
During proceedings at the Old Bailey, Lavrynovych explained that he initially refused to commit the arson. However, he changed his mind after El Money threatened him, stating that he knew where Lavrynovych and his family lived. The defendant described El Money as a “person in power” who may have political connections, which increased the pressure on him to comply with the demands.
Details Of The Attack
The attack occurred on 8 May 2025, when Lavrynovych set fire to the former Prime Minister’s Toyota vehicle. Although he was instructed to break a car window and use a flammable mixture, he chose instead to pour liquid on the car and ignite it with paper and a lighter to avoid drawing attention. The fire caught immediately on his first attempt, marking Lavrynovych’s first experience with arson.
Previous Jobs For El Money
Before the arson, Lavrynovych had committed other illegal acts for El Money due to financial difficulties. These acts included spraying racist graffiti on an Islamic community centre in south London in December 2024. He was also asked to put up inflammatory posters linking mosques with crime in Southall, but he refused to carry out that task.
Changing Tactics And Pressure
Lavrynovych stated that while he could previously decline jobs without issue, El Money’s approach became more threatening regarding the car-burning task. The defendant admitted feeling genuine fear for his and his family’s safety, which was a key factor in his decision to commit the arson.
The trial at the Old Bailey is ongoing.
Originally published by UKNIP.
