Fire damage is seen in the doorway of a house belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kentish Town in London, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Police Community Support Officers and Police Officers stand on the street near a house belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Kentish Town in London, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Man charged in fires targeting UK prime minister’s properties held in custody
LONDON (AP) 鈥 A Ukrainian man charged with setting fire to the personal home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with another property and car linked to him, was held in custody Friday after facing three counts of arson in court.
Fire damage is seen in the doorway of a house belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kentish Town in London, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON (AP) 鈥 A Ukrainian man charged with setting fire to the personal home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with another property and car linked to him, was held in custody Friday after facing three counts of arson in court.
Roman Lavrynovych, 21, is accused of setting fire to Starmer鈥檚 house, a building where the prime minister once lived and a small SUV he had owned. He is charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska said Lavrynovych denied setting the fires and, at this point, there is no explanation for the crimes.
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No injuries were reported from the three fires that occurred over five days in north London in the past two weeks.
Starmer had moved out of his personal home after being elected in July and lives with his family at the prime minister鈥檚 official Downing Street residence.
With the help of an interpreter, Lavrynovych confirmed his name, address and date of birth in Westminster Magistrates鈥 Court, but didn鈥檛 speak otherwise.
He was ordered to appear at the Central Criminal Court on June 6 for a plea hearing.
A Toyota RAV4 that Starmer once owned was set fire on May 8 鈥 just down the street from Starmer鈥檚 home. On Sunday, an apartment building where Starmer once lived was set fire. On Monday the doorway of Starmer鈥檚 home was charred after being set ablaze.
Counterterrorism detectives led the investigation because as it involves the prime minister. The charges were authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service鈥檚 Counter Terrorism Division, which is responsible for prosecuting offenses relating to state threats, among other crimes.
, Starmer condemned the fires as 鈥渁n attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for.鈥
The fires were condemned by leaders across the House of Commons, including by the Conservative Party鈥檚 , who described them as 鈥渃ompletely unacceptable.鈥
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