**Recent court proceedings revealed the targeting of Yevgeny Chichvarkin, a dissident Russian and owner of Hide, by a criminal gang directed by Russian intelligence for arson and kidnapping.**
**Russian Operatives Target London Restaurant Owner in Arson Plot**
**Russian Operatives Target London Restaurant Owner in Arson Plot**
**Court hearings in London expose a plan to burn a Michelin-starred restaurant owned by a Putin critic, illustrating espionage tactics in Europe.**
In a shocking revelation at the Old Bailey courthouse in London, a plot orchestrated by Russian intelligence operatives aimed to target Yevgeny Chichvarkin, the owner of Hide, a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the upscale Mayfair district. This case came to light following a series of arrests of low-level criminals in Britain who were allegedly directed to kidnap Chichvarkin and incinerate his restaurant along with a connected wine shop.
The restaurant, which has gained fame for its architectural charm and renowned cuisine since opening in 2018, became embroiled in this international controversy stemming from Chichvarkin’s outspoken stance against President Vladimir V. Putin. Before they could execute their nefarious plans, law enforcement apprehended the criminals, who had already perpetrated a separate act of arson by setting ablaze a warehouse owned by Ukrainians in East London in March 2024.
The trial revealed a trove of incriminating communications between the Russian operatives and the criminal group, shedding light on the troubling practice of employing local gangs for espionage and criminal activities within Europe. According to Cmdr. Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, this incident represents a clear illustration of how state-linked organizations outside the UK use local proxies to conduct severe criminal acts.
The jury ultimately convicted three men on charges connected to the warehouse fire, and a fourth member was found guilty of withholding information from authorities about the plans concerning Chichvarkin and his restaurant. The two chief conspirators, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, had already confessed to their involvement in the alarming plot, which raises significant concerns regarding the level of foreign influence and action within British soil.
The restaurant, which has gained fame for its architectural charm and renowned cuisine since opening in 2018, became embroiled in this international controversy stemming from Chichvarkin’s outspoken stance against President Vladimir V. Putin. Before they could execute their nefarious plans, law enforcement apprehended the criminals, who had already perpetrated a separate act of arson by setting ablaze a warehouse owned by Ukrainians in East London in March 2024.
The trial revealed a trove of incriminating communications between the Russian operatives and the criminal group, shedding light on the troubling practice of employing local gangs for espionage and criminal activities within Europe. According to Cmdr. Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, this incident represents a clear illustration of how state-linked organizations outside the UK use local proxies to conduct severe criminal acts.
The jury ultimately convicted three men on charges connected to the warehouse fire, and a fourth member was found guilty of withholding information from authorities about the plans concerning Chichvarkin and his restaurant. The two chief conspirators, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, had already confessed to their involvement in the alarming plot, which raises significant concerns regarding the level of foreign influence and action within British soil.
