A Ukrainian-born Romanian national convicted of plotting arson attacks against property linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been removed from the United Kingdom, according to the Home Office.
Stanislav Carpiuc, 28, received a two-year prison sentence in June for his role in the attacks, which took place in May last year. The Home Office confirmed his deportation but did not specify to which country he had been sent.
The fires targeted a car and two residential properties in north London connected to the prime minister. On 8 May, a vehicle previously owned by Sir Keir was set alight on a street in Kentish Town where he formerly lived. Three days later, flames were discovered at flats in nearby Islington that had once been his home. A third fire broke out the following day at the entrance to his Kentish Town property, then occupied by his sister-in-law Judith Alexander.
Alexander testified during the trial about black smoke billowing up the stairs whilst she was in the house with her partner and daughter, according to BBC News – UK.
Russian state connection
Carpiuc was convicted alongside Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national who received a seven-year prison sentence. Both men were found guilty of conspiring together and “with others” to damage property by fire between 1 April and 13 May.
A BBC investigation revealed the attacks formed part of a wider campaign of sabotage orchestrated on behalf of Russia. An anonymous handler known as EL promised payment to Lavrynovych and offered Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out further attacks. Evidence uncovered by the BBC suggested EL was a young Russian diplomat who glorified President Vladimir Putin.
A Home Office spokesperson described the incident as “an abhorrent attack” and said the convictions should send “a clear message to anyone blinded by the promise of money from strangers”.
“You will be caught and face severe consequences,” the spokesperson added.
What this means for Poles in the UK
This case demonstrates that foreign nationals convicted of serious criminal offences in the UK face deportation after serving their sentences, regardless of whether they hold EU settlement status or another immigration category. Under current Home Office policy, the automatic deportation threshold applies to non-British citizens sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.
For Poles living in the UK – including those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme – a criminal conviction can result in deportation if the offence is deemed sufficiently serious. The Home Office assesses cases individually, considering factors such as the nature of the crime, the length of sentence and any threat to national security.
Anyone with concerns about their immigration status following a criminal conviction should seek legal advice immediately. The sentencing threshold, type of offence and personal circumstances all influence deportation decisions. Official guidance is available on the gov.uk website under immigration enforcement and deportation procedures.
The case also highlights the UK authorities’ focus on foreign interference and national security threats. Those approached online or through social media with offers of payment for suspicious activities should report the contact to police or the National Crime Agency, as involvement – even unwittingly – can carry severe criminal and immigration consequences.
