A Belarusian national security suspect was tasked by a Russian language website to set fire to a Ukrainian car for money, a court has heard.
Artsem Sadardzinau, 30, from Rutland in the East Midlands, is charged with conspiracy with others to commit arson to damage a vehicle by fire between August 31 and February 15.
He appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by videolink from Pentonville prison for a preliminary hearing.
Outlining the allegation, prosecutor Ben Lloyd said: “The defendant is said to have seen an advert by a Russian language website. The website appears to support and facilitate unlawful activity.
“As part of that website there is a section called ‘car arson’.
“The defendant visited the website on a number of occasions and it appears was tasked subsequently and through applications such as Telegram to locate and identify a Ukraine-registered vehicle, to send a video to his tasker, agree the target and then set fire to the vehicle in return for payment.”
Mr Lloyd said inquiries were ongoing into whether the case fell under the National Security Act.
The defendant indicated through his lawyer that he would plead not guilty to the charge against him, having had no intention to carry anything out.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a plea hearing at the Old Bailey for June 19 and a provisional two-week trial before a High Court judge at Leicester Crown Court from April 6 2027.
The defendant was remanded into custody.
Counter Terrorism Policing London has said that while investigations continue, officers do not believe there to be any wider threat to the public in relation to the matter.
