Latest news with #NiiMensah
Al Jazeera
09-07-2025
- Al Jazeera
UK court convicts 3 men of arson in attack linked to Russia's Wagner Group
A jury in the United Kingdom has convicted three men of arson following an attack on an east London warehouse that was storing Starlink satellite equipment destined for Ukraine. Prosecutors had alleged that the attack on March 20, 2024, was planned by agents of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, acting on behalf of Russian military intelligence. Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, and Nii Mensah, 23, were found guilty of aggravated arson on Tuesday at London's Old Bailey court. Jurors cleared a fourth man, Paul English, 61, who told police that while he was paid to drive the others, he knew nothing about the fire. Dylan Earl, 21, who was accused of orchestrating the attack, and Jake Reeves, 23, had already pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and offences under the UK's National Security Act 2023. Prosecutors said Wagner used British intermediaries to recruit the men to target an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, where generators and Starlink satellite equipment bound for Ukraine were being stored. Authorities cast the arson, which caused about 1 million pounds ($1.35m) of damage, as part of a campaign of disruption across Europe that Western officials blame on Moscow and its proxies. Ukraine's military frequently uses Starlink in its effort to fend off Russia's invasion. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Command at London's Metropolitan Police, said the case was a 'clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using 'proxies', in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country'. He said Earl and Reeves 'willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state,' adding that it was 'only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse'. Earl also admitted to plotting to set fire to a wine shop and a restaurant in the upmarket London neighbourhood of Mayfair, as well as plans to kidnap their owner, Evgeny Chichvarkin. Chichvarkin, an exiled Russian tycoon who has been vocal in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, told the court in a written statement that he is considered 'a key enemy of the Russian state and received daily death threats'. Two other men were on trial in connection with the arson and related plots. Ashton Evans, 20, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot but cleared of failing to tell authorities about the warehouse arson. After Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23, was cleared of both, he burst into tears and nodded towards the jury. Jurors were shown evidence from security cameras and of the arson Mensah filmed on his phone, along with a message he sent Earl later saying: 'Bro lol it's on the news.' They were also shown hundreds of messages among the men and between Earl and a Russian recruiter. Earl was the first person to be charged under the National Security Act, which created new measures to combat espionage, political interference and benefitting from foreign intelligence services. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said the convicted defendants would be sentenced in autumn. Founded in 2014, the Wagner Group has become Russia's largest and most notorious private military company, with operations around the world, including in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Ukraine. In 2022, Wagner enlisted 50,000 Russian prisoners to fight on the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, of which some 20,000 were killed in the months-long battle for control of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, the group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said at the time. In June 2023, Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a private jet which crashed north of Moscow shortly after he led Wagner troops who crossed from Ukraine into the Russian border city of Rostov-on-Don, saying he would fight anyone who tried to stop them.
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Three men working for Wagner terrorist group convicted of arson attack on London warehouse linked to Ukraine
The case is the first to result in convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the proscribed Wagner Group RUSSIAN PLOT Three men working for Wagner terrorist group convicted of arson attack on London warehouse linked to Ukraine Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE MEN working for the Wagner Russian terrorist group were yesterday convicted of an arson attack on a warehouse linked to Ukraine. The trio caused £1 million worth of damage to an industrial unit in Leyton, East London, destroying £100,000 worth of satellite communication equipment destined for Ukraine on March 20 last year. An Old Bailey jury yesterday convicted gang members Nii Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life. Mensah, of Thornton Heath, South London, livestreamed the warehouse blaze to Earl after he and Rose, from Croydon, set fire to the building as Asmena waited in a car. The case is the first to result in convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the proscribed Wagner Group. Drug dealer Dylan Earl, 20, and Gatwick Airport cleaner Jake Reeves, 23, orchestrated the plot on behalf of the Russian Wagner group of mercenaries. They planned further arson attacks on a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of the owner, wealthy Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. They are the first defendants to be convicted of offences under the National Security Act 2023, designed to thwart attacks in the UK by hostile foreign states. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb adjourned sentencing until a date to be fixed in the autumn. Moment flames engulf car outside Keir Starmer's home as man arrested over 'arson' attack on TWO properties linked to PM
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Three men working for Wagner terrorist group convicted of arson attack on London warehouse linked to Ukraine
THREE MEN working for the Wagner Russian terrorist group were yesterday convicted of an arson attack on a warehouse linked to Ukraine. The trio caused £1 million worth of damage to an industrial unit in Leyton, East London, destroying £100,000 worth of satellite communication equipment destined for Ukraine on March 20 last year. An Old Bailey jury yesterday convicted gang members Nii Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life. Mensah, of Thornton Heath, South London, livestreamed the warehouse blaze to Earl after he and Rose, from Croydon, set fire to the building as Asmena waited in a car. The case is the first to result in convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the proscribed Wagner Group. Drug dealer Dylan Earl, 20, and Gatwick Airport cleaner Jake Reeves, 23, orchestrated the plot on behalf of the Russian Wagner group of mercenaries. They planned further arson attacks on a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of the owner, wealthy Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. They are the first defendants to be convicted of offences under the National Security Act 2023, designed to thwart attacks in the UK by hostile foreign states. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb adjourned sentencing until a date to be fixed in the autumn. Moment flames engulf car outside Keir Starmer's home as man arrested over 'arson' attack on TWO properties linked to PM 1
Sky News
08-07-2025
- Sky News
Three men found guilty of arson attack for Russian mercenaries on Ukraine-linked warehouse in London
Three men have been found guilty of an arson attack on a London warehouse linked to Ukraine on behalf of the terrorist Wagner Group. Around £1m of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, that was supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine, a court heard. The StarLinks are often used by the Ukrainian military in its fight against Russia following the full-scale invasion by President Vladimir Putin's forces which started in February 2022. Nii Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, were convicted of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life following an Old Bailey trial. Paul English, 61, was cleared of the same charge. The attack at the Cromwell industrial estate on 20 March last year was orchestrated by 20-year-old Dylan Earl - who was recruited by the Wagner Group - and Jake Reeves, 23, the trial previously heard. The group of Russian mercenaries effectively acts as a private army for the state. Reeves, of Croydon, pleaded guilty to agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and preparatory conduct under the National Security Act 2023. It was alleged they recruited a group of men to carry out the attack as part of a series of planned missions for the terrorist group. The court was previously told the pair had gone on to plot more arson attacks on a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of their multi-millionaire owner Evgeny Chichvarkin, who was a Russian dissident. Warehouse arson attack was livestreamed The Metropolitan Police said an analysis of Earl's Telegram messages showed the first person he recruited for the warehouse arson plot was Reeves, who then recruited his friend Mensah to carry out the attack. In turn, Mensah recruited his friend Rose. Asmena was also recruited to take part. Mensah, Rose and Asmena met up on the evening of 20 March 2024 and travelled in a red Kia Picanto to the scene of the arson. Officers found evidence that Mensah filmed the warehouse being set alight and livestreamed it on FaceTime to Earl and Reeves. The video was recovered by police. A knife found at the scene was linked to Rose through DNA analysis. The case is the first concerning allegations under the UK's new counter-espionage laws. Prosecutor Duncan Penny said Earl was "knowingly acting at the behest of the Wagner Group", banned as a terrorist organisation, and "knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian interests". It was 'only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured' Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "This case is a clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using 'proxies' - in this case British men - to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf." He said that the ringleaders Earl and Reeves "willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state". And he added that it was "only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse". The Crown Prosecution Service called the convictions a "significant moment" and they "send a very clear message that this type of offending will not be tolerated on UK soil". The Russian embassy in London has rejected any part in the warehouse fire, saying the British government repeatedly blames Russia for anything "bad" that happens in the UK. Ashton Evans, 20, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot but cleared of failing to tell authorities about the warehouse arson. Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, was cleared of two similar offences relating to both terrorist plots after the jury deliberated for nearly 22 hours. The convicted defendants will be sentenced at the Old Bailey at a later date.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- The Independent
Arsonists guilty of attack on Ukraine-linked warehouse for Wagner Group
Three men have been found guilty of an arson attack on a warehouse linked to Ukraine on behalf of the terrorist Wagner Group. About £1 million of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, last March 20, the Old Bailey was told. Nii Mensah, 23, had livestreamed on his phone as he and Jakeem Rose, 23, set fire to the building while fixer Ugnius Asmena, 20, waited in a car, jurors heard. The attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, with Gatwick airport cleaner Jake Reeves, 23, who had targeted the warehouse because it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. They went on to plot more arson attacks in a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of the owner, the wealth Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. Earl and Reeves had admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and were the first to be convicted of offences under the National Security Act 2023, jurors heard. Earl had also admitted possessing cocaine and thousands of pounds in criminal cash. Following an Old Bailey trial, Mensah, Rose, and Asmena were found guilty of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life. Driver Paul English, 61, was cleared of wrongdoing. Ashton Evans, 20, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot but cleared of failing to tell authorities about the warehouse arson. Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, was cleared of two similar offences relating to both terrorist plots after the jury deliberated for nearly 22 hours. The case is the first to result in convictions of British criminals acting as proxies for the proscribed Wagner Group. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said; 'This case is clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using 'proxies', in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf. 'The ringleaders, Earl and Reeves, willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state. 'I am pleased that, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, we were able to use the new National Security Act legislation, which meant the severity of Earl and Reeves's offending was reflected in the charges they faced. 'The warehouse arson put members of the public at great risk, and it was only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse. 'Those involved showed little or no regard for the potential impact of their actions on the UK's wider security. 'Seemingly motivated by the promise of money, they were prepared to commit criminal acts on behalf of Russia. 'I hope these convictions send a strong warning of the very serious consequences of committing offences on behalf of a foreign country.' Jurors had heard 'overwhelming' evidence linking the arsonists to the warehouse attack. They were tracked by phone data and traffic cameras as Mr English drove them in his Kia Picanto through south London and the scene of the fire, which was covered by CCTV. More footage captured Rose and Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses, jurors heard. As they fled the scene, Rose dropped a very large knife with his DNA on it, with Mensah later messaging Reeves to say 'L9 (Rose's nickname) left his Rambo at the scene'. It took eight fire crews, composed of 60 firefighters, to get the blaze under control. Afterwards, Mensah messaged Earl: 'Bro there was bare smoke … You saw it on Face Time.' Later, he added: 'Bro lol it's on the news … we dun damagees (sic).' Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC said that while the arsonists were motivated by the promise of money, Earl and Reeves had orchestrated it for Russia. Earl had told a Wagner Group operative he met on Telegram he was keen to carry out a series of 'missions', of which the Leyton fire was to be just the first. Reeves was also prepared to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target the Russian dissident and his London-based businesses next, the jury was told. Earl admitted preparing to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping owner Mr Chichvarkin on behalf of the Wagner Group. The court was told the two Mayfair businesses targeted by the Wagner Group collectively employed 200 people and were valued at more than £30 million. Mr Chichvarkin was described as a 'high-profile Russian dissident and refugee' who has been vocal in his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. On April 5 2024, Reeves, from Croydon, south London, sent an unknown contact Mr Chichvarkin's name and said he would make an 'amazing target'. In chat, Earl's Wagner Group contact, Privet Bot, instructed him to watch the period drama The Americans and use it as a 'manual' for his covert mission. The television series is set during the Cold War and is about two KGB agents posing as Americans in Washington DC to spy on the American government. In further chat with Privet Bot, wholesale drug dealer Earl appeared to brag that he had criminal connections, saying he could 'sort' an introduction to the IRA and Kinahan Irish organised crime group. He was arrested in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and videos of the warehouse fire being started were found on his iPhone. In a search of his home in Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, police recovered a Russian flag, more than £20,000 in cash and cocaine hydrochloride with a street value of some £34,000. Evidence on his phone revealed details of a cryptocurrency account holding more than £58,000 and images of bundles of cash estimated to total £175,000. Following Reeves's arrest at Croydon East railway station, police uncovered videos on his phone which were taken by Mensah on the night of the arson attack. Giving evidence, Asmena, of no fixed address, denied being aware of the arson attack or hiring Mr English as the driver, telling jurors he was 'just there'. Mensah, of Thornton Heath, and Rose, from Croydon, had admitted arson and Rose also pleading guilty to possessing of a blade. However, both claimed the prosecution had failed to prove the fire had endangered life. Mr English, of Roehampton, told police on his arrest that he had been paid £500 by Asmena to drive but knew nothing about the fire. Evans, from Newport, Gwent, told jurors that he had got in touch with Earl to buy cocaine, which he admitted having. He claimed not to take what Earl told him seriously and went along with it to get his money back after buying drugs that were not the genuine article. Aviation engineering student Mr Paulauskus, from Croydon, told jurors he had been doing work experience at an aircraft maintenance hangar, was interested in gaming and was a 'gun nerd'. Born in Lithuania, he holds a joint British and Russian passport, and believed that the war with Russia was Ukraine's fault. He told jurors that he had been friends with Reeves since secondary school but did not believe anything he told him about the plots was real. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the convicted defendants would be sentenced on a date to be fixed in the autumn.
