A second local man has been arrested by counter-terrorism officers over an alleged Russia-linked arson attack on a London warehouse linked to Ukraine.
Ugnius Asmena, 19, of Wandsworth was arrested on Thursday, the Met announced on Saturday just prior to a court appearance at Westminster Magistrates. He was arrested with a second man, Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, of Croydon. Both are accused of aggravated arson.
The arrests follow the earlier arrest of a Putney man back in April – Paul Adrian English, 60 – along with four others. All are accused of being part of a blaze started at an industrial estate in Leyton on 20 March.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said of the arrests: “While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.
“This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought about I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”
Others arrested earlier
Following a number of court appearances – one of which English was unable to attend having been “taken ill” – a plea hearing for the initial five people arrested will be held on 4 October with a trial expected at the Old Bailey in June 2025.
According to prosecutors, the target of the arson attack was a man referred to as ‘Mr X’ and the attack was planned and organised by a man working for the Russian intelligences services. Russia has been accused in recent months of carrying out a range of attacks on people and businesses connected to supplying Ukraine with weapons and other equipment to assist with its ongoing war efforts against Russia.
There is currently no evidence that Putney resident English was aware that the attack was arranged on behalf of Russians but was instead driven by the money offered. The prosecution alleges that English picked up Mensah and drove him to the warehouse where, shortly afterwards, a fire broken out. The blaze took 60 firefighters over four hours to control.
More information on Ugnius Asmena alleged role in the fire is expected to be heard at his magistrates hearing.
