Man Jailed Over Starmer Arson Attacks Deported

A Romanian national jailed for his role in arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been deported, the Home Office has confirmed. The attacks, carried out in May 2025, were later linked by a BBC investigation to a wider Russian-backed sabotage campaign.

Deportation Follows Prison Sentence

Stanislav Carpiuc, 28, was sentenced to two years in prison in June after being convicted alongside Roman Lavrynovych over a series of arson attacks. The Home Office confirmed Carpiuc had been removed from the UK but did not disclose his destination. A Home Office spokesperson said the attacks were abhorrent and warned that anyone accepting money from strangers to commit such crimes would face prosecution and serious consequences.

Three Fires Target Starmer-Linked Properties

The attacks began on 8 May 2025, when a car previously owned by Starmer was set alight on a street where he had once lived in Kentish Town. On 11 May, another fire was discovered at flats linked to the prime minister in Islington. The following day, a fire broke out at the entrance to his former Kentish Town home, which was being rented to his sister-in-law, Judith Alexander. Alexander told the trial that thick black smoke rose up the stairs while she was inside with her partner and daughter.

Second Convict Received Seven Years

Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national, received a seven-year prison sentence in June. Both men were found guilty of conspiring with others to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May 2025. The attacks took place while Starmer was serving as prime minister and involved properties connected to him rather than an attempt to attack him directly.

Investigation Points to Russian Links

A BBC investigation found that the arson attacks were allegedly organised on behalf of Russia as part of a broader campaign involving sabotage and provocation. An anonymous handler known as EL reportedly promised payment to Lavrynovych and offered Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out further attacks. The handler also expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Evidence examined by the BBC suggested EL could be a young Russian diplomat, although the identity was not publicly confirmed in the report.