A man convicted for his role in a plot to target Sir Keir Starmer in a series of arson attacks has been deported from the country.
Stanislav Carpiuc, 28 and from Romania, was one of two “useful idiots” recruited by a Russian-speaking mastermind to target a car and two houses linked to the former prime minister in North London last May.
Carpiuc has now been removed from the UK, the Home Office said on Friday. He is subject to a re-entry ban as part of his deportation.
Carpiuc, alongside his friend, 22-year-old Ukrainian builder Roman Lavrynovych, were acting on instructions from a shadowy Russian-speaking Telegram account, called El Money.
Lavrynovych was offered £3,000 in cryptocurrency if the blazes were filmed and got on the news by the anonymous figure, who was reportedly linked to a Russian online sabotage network.
Carpiuc supported and encouraged his friend, and was going to help him convert the promised payment into cash.
Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc, left, and Roman Lavrynovych (Metropolitan Police)
He was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this year after he was found guilty of conspiracy to damage property by fire.
Lavrynovych was jailed for seven years as he was convicted of damaging two properties by fire, being reckless as to whether life was endangered on 11 and 12 May last year.
A court heard Lavrynovch first set fire to a Toyota RAV4 which was once owned by Sir Keir. Days later, the front doors of two houses were set ablaze, including the then-prime minister’s home – which was occupied by his sister-in-law Judith Alexander since he moved to Downing Street.
A blaze was first reported at a property in nearby Islington which was managed by a company previously linked to the prime minister.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said the fire posed an “obvious” risk to the occupants as it spread to the hallway inside the building.
A Toyota RAV4, which was once owned by Sir Keir Starmer, was set alight (PA)
In the early hours of the following morning, the prime minister’s former home in Kentish Town was also targeted.
Ms Alexander, who lived there with her partner and daughter, said she heard two loud bangs before she saw an orange glow by the front door.
She described her fear at the thought of “what might have happened” had she not woken up.
Shahid Rashid, barrister for hotel worker Carpiuc, said his client was “always the money man”.
He told the court: “His function was to realise the cryptocurrency. It is also important he was not going to get anything out of it. His motivation was helping a friend out who needed money desperately for his father’s medical treatment.”
Carpiuc was originally arrested at Luton Airport for his role in the plot.
As a foreign national offender, Carpiuc was referred for a deportation consideration at the earliest opportunity.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This was an abhorrent attack and the conviction and imprisonment of these men should send a clear message to anyone blinded by the promise of money from strangers. You will be caught and face severe consequences.
“This individual has now been deported from the UK.”
