A second man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with conspiracy to commit arson over fires at properties and a car linked to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and denied being present at the scene of any of the fires.
The defendant, flanked by two police officers in the dock, spoke via an interpreter to confirm his name and date of birth.
Mr Carpiuc, of Chadwell Heath, east London, is accused of conspiring with Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 21 – who appeared in court last week – and others unknown “to damage by fire property belonging to another, intending to damage the property, intending to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would thereby be endangered”.
Mr Carpiuc was arrested by counterterrorism officers at Luton airport in London on Saturday.
Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska said: “At this stage, the alleged offending is unexplained.”
The court heard Mr Carpiuc, who was born in Ukraine, gave a no comment interview to police.
Defending, Jay Nutkins said that Mr Carpiuc has lived in the UK for nine years, and is currently waiting for his degree results, having spent two years studying a business degree at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent. The court heard that the 26-year-old, who was supported by his father in court, works in construction.
Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Mr Carpiuc in custody until a further hearing at the Old Bailey on 6 June.
Mr Lavrynovych, of Sydenham, denied the charges in a police interview and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, when he was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 6 June alongside Mr Carpiuc.
A 34-year-old man was also arrested on Monday in the Chelsea area on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in police custody.
