Two charged in connection with investigation into alleged offences under the National Security Act

Two more people have been charged in connection with an investigation into alleged offences under the National Security Act, as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation.

[I] Jakeem Barrington Rose, 22 (24.05.02), of Croydon, and [J] Ugnius Asmena, 19 (31.12.04), of Wandsworth, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Saturday, 3 August, both charged with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1(2) and (3) Criminal Damage Act 1971.

Rose was further charged with one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

They were arrested on Thursday, 1 August.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which is leading the investigation, said: “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. This investigation remains ongoing, but now that charges have been brought about I would urge everyone to respect the criminal justice process and not to speculate or comment further in relation to this case.”

In April police announced that the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised charges for offences under the National Security Act - the first brought under the legislation introduced in Dec 2023.

Those charged were:

[A] Dylan James Earl, 20 (17.02.04) of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire was charged on Friday, 19 April with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1(2) and (3) Criminal Damage Act 1971; preparatory conduct, contrary to section 18 of the National Security Act 2023; and assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 3(1) and (9) of the National Security Act 2023.

[D] Jake Reeves, 22 (20.10.01), of Croydon, south London, was charged on Thursday, 25 April with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1 (2) and (3) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service, contrary to section 17(2) and (11) of the National Security Act 2023.

[E] Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22 (2.01.02), of Croydon, south London, was charged on Thursday, 25 April with failing to disclose information to police about terrorist acts, contrary to section 38B of the Terrorism Act, 2000.

[G] Paul English, 60 (02.10.63) from Roehampton and [F] Nii Kojo Mensah, 22 (03.06.02) from Thornton Heath were charged on Sunday, 21 April with aggravated arson, contrary to section 1 (2) and (3) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 in London in March.

A pre-trial plea hearing has been set for 4 October with a trial expected to begin at the Old Bailey in June 2025.

The foreign state to which these charges relate is Russia.

The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and has been supported by officers from CTP East Midlands, Leicestershire Police, CTP South East and Kent Police. Enquiries remain ongoing.