Latest news with #NationalSecurityAct2023
4 days ago
- Business
Russia's Wagner Group planned arson attack on London business with links to Ukraine, court is told
LONDON -- The trial has started of six men accused of arson at an east London business with links to Ukraine's war effort against Russia, with prosecutors saying Wednesday that the evidence against them was 'overwhelming.' At the start of the trial at London's Central Criminal Court, which is better known as the Old Bailey, prosecutors said the March 20, 2024 attack was planned by agents of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which the British government has deemed a terrorist organization. Prosecutors said the Wagner Group recruited four men — Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61 — who have been charged with setting fire to the industrial unit in Leyton, in the east of the capital, which supplied StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. An additional two other men — Ashton Evans, 20, and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23 — are facing charges that they withheld information about upcoming terrorist attacks. The court was told that around 1 million pounds ($1.35 million) worth of damage was caused by the blaze. Prosecutors also said there were plans for similar attacks on two other businesses in the upmarket London neighborhood of Mayfair — a wine shop called Hedonism and a restaurant called Hide. Both are owned by an unidentified Russian dissident who has been vocal in his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. He has, prosecutors said, driven aid trucks from the U.K. to Ukraine. 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality, at the behest of foreign influence," said prosecutor Duncan Penny. "In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' Jurors heard the attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have already admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group. Earl has also admitted to plotting to set fire to the two Mayfair businesses. Earl, he said, was the 'architect' of the attack and had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on the Telegram messaging app. 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first,' said Penny. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Earl was the first person to be charged under the U.K.'s National Security Act 2023, which created new measures to combat espionage, political interference and benefiting from foreign intelligence services. It also gave authorities additional powers to search and seize property and detain and arrest suspects. Penny said the evidence against those facing charges was 'overwhelming' and that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence will be presented to the jury. He said one of the suspects, Mensah, filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia's Wagner Group planned arson attack on London business with links to Ukraine, court is told
LONDON (AP) — The trial has started of six men accused of arson at an east London business with links to Ukraine's war effort against Russia, with prosecutors saying Wednesday that the evidence against them was 'overwhelming.' At the start of the trial at London's Central Criminal Court, which is better known as the Old Bailey, prosecutors said the March 20, 2024 attack was planned by agents of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which the British government has deemed a terrorist organization. Prosecutors said the Wagner Group recruited four men — Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61 — who have been charged with setting fire to the industrial unit in Leyton, in the east of the capital, which supplied StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. An additional two other men — Ashton Evans, 20, and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23 — are facing charges that they withheld information about upcoming terrorist attacks. The court was told that around 1 million pounds ($1.35 million) worth of damage was caused by the blaze. Prosecutors also said there were plans for similar attacks on two other businesses in the upmarket London neighborhood of Mayfair — a wine shop called Hedonism and a restaurant called Hide. Both are owned by an unidentified Russian dissident who has been vocal in his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. He has, prosecutors said, driven aid trucks from the U.K. to Ukraine. 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality, at the behest of foreign influence," said prosecutor Duncan Penny. "In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' Jurors heard the attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have already admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group. Earl has also admitted to plotting to set fire to the two Mayfair businesses. Earl, he said, was the 'architect' of the attack and had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on the Telegram messaging app. 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first,' said Penny. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Earl was the first person to be charged under the U.K.'s National Security Act 2023, which created new measures to combat espionage, political interference and benefiting from foreign intelligence services. It also gave authorities additional powers to search and seize property and detain and arrest suspects. Penny said the evidence against those facing charges was 'overwhelming' and that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence will be presented to the jury. He said one of the suspects, Mensah, filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
New powers to tackle hostile state threats after Iran spying charges
Yvette Cooper addressed MPs on a 'series of grave wider issues' for national security on Monday as the defendants were charged with spying offences in relation to Iran. The Home Office will introduce new laws that will allow the UK to proscribe state-based groups such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and create criminal offences, following recommendations by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC. 'The Iranian regime poses an unacceptable threat to our domestic security which cannot continue,' Ms Cooper said. 'But we need to go further in strengthening our powers to address national security threats. 'We will draw up new powers, modelled on counter-terrorism powers, in a series of areas to tackle those state threats.' Ms Cooper said the new legislation will cover state-based threats rather than terrorist organisations, which would be tougher than the current National Security Act. In a review of terrorism and state threat legislation published on Monday, Mr Hall concluded that the Terrorism Act 2000 was never intended to regulate the behaviour of state actors, and said looking at that law as a way to proscribe state bodies is 'quite simply shopping in the wrong department'. Instead, he recommended for a notice to be issued against state actors or private entities acting as foreign intelligence services under the National Security Act 2023 as a way to 'name and shame' on the international stage. He said: 'It is also a threat to that entity, putting it on notice that its operations, and its minions and influence networks, are at greater risk of executive action, by way of arrest and prosecution, or deportation, or other forms of disruption, from UK authorities.' Mr Hall also recommended further criminal offences for anyone who invites support or displays signage of a foreign intelligence service subject to the notice. Other suggestions he made – including for police to be given stop and search powers at locations which are a known state threat target, set up cordons and seize passports, similar to in terrorism cases – are also being reviewed by the Government. But shadow home secretary Chris Philp pressed in the Commons as to why the IRGC had not already been proscribed, while Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice urged for the Home Secretary not to 'kick the can down the road'. But Ms Cooper replied that Mr Hall found legal difficulties in using current laws to do so, adding: 'It's important that any legislation we apply is actually effective and doesn't unravel.' The move comes as Tehran's ambassador to the UK was summoned to the Foreign Office after the three Iranian nationals were charged with spying offences. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, were remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with offences under the National Security Act. They are all charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. On Monday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'Today, upon instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 'The UK Government is clear that protecting national security remains our top priority and Iran must be held accountable for its actions.' On Sunday, Iran summoned the British charge d'affaires in protest at what officials described as the 'illegal and unjustified' detention of the country's nationals. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA reported that Tehran said the detention was a violation of international law and politically motivated. The three men all arrived in the UK by irregular means, including by small boats and a lorry, between 2016 and 2022, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Sepahvand is also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori are further charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. The trio will next appear for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on June 6.
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
New powers to tackle hostile state threats after Iran spying charges
Yvette Cooper addressed MPs on a 'series of grave wider issues' for national security on Monday as the defendants were charged with spying offences in relation to Iran. The Home Office will introduce new laws that will allow the UK to proscribe state-based groups such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and create criminal offences, following recommendations by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC. 'The Iranian regime poses an unacceptable threat to our domestic security which cannot continue,' Ms Cooper said. 'But we need to go further in strengthening our powers to address national security threats. 'We will draw up new powers, modelled on counter-terrorism powers, in a series of areas to tackle those state threats.' Ms Cooper said the new legislation will cover state-based threats rather than terrorist organisations, which would be tougher than the current National Security Act. In a review of terrorism and state threat legislation published on Monday, Mr Hall concluded that the Terrorism Act 2000 was never intended to regulate the behaviour of state actors, and said looking at that law as a way to proscribe state bodies is 'quite simply shopping in the wrong department'. Instead, he recommended for a notice to be issued against state actors or private entities acting as foreign intelligence services under the National Security Act 2023 as a way to 'name and shame' on the international stage. He said: 'It is also a threat to that entity, putting it on notice that its operations, and its minions and influence networks, are at greater risk of executive action, by way of arrest and prosecution, or deportation, or other forms of disruption, from UK authorities.' Mr Hall also recommended further criminal offences for anyone who invites support or displays signage of a foreign intelligence service subject to the notice. Other suggestions he made – including for police to be given stop and search powers at locations which are a known state threat target, set up cordons and seize passports, similar to in terrorism cases – are also being reviewed by the Government. But shadow home secretary Chris Philp pressed in the Commons as to why the IRGC had not already been proscribed, while Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice urged for the Home Secretary not to 'kick the can down the road'. But Ms Cooper replied that Mr Hall found legal difficulties in using current laws to do so, adding: 'It's important that any legislation we apply is actually effective and doesn't unravel.' The move comes as Tehran's ambassador to the UK was summoned to the Foreign Office after the three Iranian nationals were charged with spying offences. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, were remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with offences under the National Security Act. They are all charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. On Monday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'Today, upon instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 'The UK Government is clear that protecting national security remains our top priority and Iran must be held accountable for its actions.' On Sunday, Iran summoned the British charge d'affaires in protest at what officials described as the 'illegal and unjustified' detention of the country's nationals. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA reported that Tehran said the detention was a violation of international law and politically motivated. The three men all arrived in the UK by irregular means, including by small boats and a lorry, between 2016 and 2022, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Sepahvand is also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori are further charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. The trio will next appear for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on June 6.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
New powers to tackle hostile state threats after Iran spying charges
Yvette Cooper addressed MPs on a 'series of grave wider issues' for national security on Monday as the defendants were charged with spying offences in relation to Iran. The Home Office will introduce new laws that will allow the UK to proscribe state-based groups such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and create criminal offences, following recommendations by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall KC. 'The Iranian regime poses an unacceptable threat to our domestic security which cannot continue,' Ms Cooper said. 'But we need to go further in strengthening our powers to address national security threats. 'We will draw up new powers, modelled on counter-terrorism powers, in a series of areas to tackle those state threats.' Ms Cooper said the new legislation will cover state-based threats rather than terrorist organisations, which would be tougher than the current National Security Act. In a review of terrorism and state threat legislation published on Monday, Mr Hall concluded that the Terrorism Act 2000 was never intended to regulate the behaviour of state actors, and said looking at that law as a way to proscribe state bodies is 'quite simply shopping in the wrong department'. Instead, he recommended for a notice to be issued against state actors or private entities acting as foreign intelligence services under the National Security Act 2023 as a way to 'name and shame' on the international stage. He said: 'It is also a threat to that entity, putting it on notice that its operations, and its minions and influence networks, are at greater risk of executive action, by way of arrest and prosecution, or deportation, or other forms of disruption, from UK authorities.' Mr Hall also recommended further criminal offences for anyone who invites support or displays signage of a foreign intelligence service subject to the notice. Other suggestions he made – including for police to be given stop and search powers at locations which are a known state threat target, set up cordons and seize passports, similar to in terrorism cases – are also being reviewed by the Government. But shadow home secretary Chris Philp pressed in the Commons as to why the IRGC had not already been proscribed, while Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice urged for the Home Secretary not to 'kick the can down the road'. But Ms Cooper replied that Mr Hall found legal difficulties in using current laws to do so, adding: 'It's important that any legislation we apply is actually effective and doesn't unravel.' The move comes as Tehran's ambassador to the UK was summoned to the Foreign Office after the three Iranian nationals were charged with spying offences. Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, were remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with offences under the National Security Act. They are all charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist the Iranian foreign intelligence service between August 14 2024 and February 16 2025. On Monday, a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: 'Today, upon instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Kingdom was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 'The UK Government is clear that protecting national security remains our top priority and Iran must be held accountable for its actions.' On Sunday, Iran summoned the British charge d'affaires in protest at what officials described as the 'illegal and unjustified' detention of the country's nationals. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA reported that Tehran said the detention was a violation of international law and politically motivated. The three men all arrived in the UK by irregular means, including by small boats and a lorry, between 2016 and 2022, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Sepahvand is also charged with engaging in surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research, intending to commit acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK. Manesh and Noori are further charged with engaging in surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others. The trio will next appear for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on June 6.
