Dylan Earl is alleged to have engaged in conduct targeting businesses which were linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state.

He has been charged under the National Security Act 2023 - the first case to involve alleged offences under the new legislation.

Four others have also been charged in connection with the case, it can now be reported.

Reporting restrictions were lifted today allowing the defendants to be named, the CPS said in a statement.

Earl is accused of undertaking fraudulent activity, research and reconnaissance of targets, and attempting to recruit individuals to materially assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out UK-related activities, prosecutors say.

The 20-year-old is alleged to be connected to the proscribed terrorist group the Wagner Group, court documents show.

He is accused of organising and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London, on 20 March.

Two other men - Paul English, 60, and Nii Mensah, 21 - have been charged with aggravated arson in connection with the case.

Jake Reeves, 22, has been charged with agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service as well as aggravated arson.

A fifth man - Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22 - has been charged with having information about terrorist acts.

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