Two More Charged in London Arson Attack Linked to Russia

Two additional suspects, Jakeem Barrington Rose and Ugnius Asmena, have been charged with aggravated arson linked to a March attack on a Ukrainian business in London. British police suspect Russian involvement. This updates the case involving five other men charged under the National Security Act.

Two more individuals, Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22, and Ugnius Asmena, 19, face charges of aggravated arson in connection with a March attack on a Ukrainian business in London, British police announced Saturday. The incident is allegedly linked to Russia.

Rose also stands accused of two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, according to a statement from London's Metropolitan Police. Authorities had earlier linked five additional men to the attack under the National Security Act, accusing them of "activity likely to benefit Russia," court records indicate.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, stated, "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." In May, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman dismissed the British allegations as absurd and provocative. Relations between Russia and Britain, strained for years, have worsened since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The suspects will face trial in June next year.

(With inputs from agencies.)