Two more men have been charged in connection with an allegedly Russian-linked arson attack on a Ukrainian company in London.
Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, from Croydon and Ugnius Asmena, 19, from Wandsworth were due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ on Saturday.
Both men are charged with aggravated arson.
Rose was also charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and in a private place.
The pair were arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged crimes under new espionage laws.
They join five others already accused because of a fire in an industrial unit in Leyton, east Londonon March 20, which required 60 firefighters to bring it under control.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any wider threat to them in connection with this matter.
“This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been filed, I ask everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not speculate or comment further regarding this case.”
Rose and Asmena’s co-defendants face a plea hearing on October 4, with a trial expected to begin at the Old Bailey in June 2025.
Dylan Earl, 20, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, is charged with aggravated arson and offenses under the National Security Act, including preparatory conduct and assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Jake Reeves, 22, from Croydon, is also charged with agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service, as well as aggravated arson.
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Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, from Croydon, is charged with failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.
Paul English, 60, of Roehampton and Nii Kojo Mensah, 22, of Thornton Heath, south London, are both charged with aggravated arson.
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