A Ukrainian refugee accused of being a gangster has avoided extradition because his removal would breach his human rights.
Mykola Kubrak, 31, is accused of stashing weapons including rocket launchers and anti-tank grenades in western Ukraine.
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He has also been charged with a car theft and extorting of cash from victims in his home country.
The 31-year-old also allegedly made an abduction attempt in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk in 2021, according to The Sun.
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After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mr Kubrak fled to Britain.
He arrived in the country through the Home for Ukraine scheme, which grants refugees the right to live and work in England for three years.
Notably, the court heard he arrived in Britain lawfully before he was aware he faced charges in Ukraine.
The court has now determined he cannot be returned to his home country despite his crimes.
A request to deport was rejected at Westminster Magistrates Court earlier this month after his lawyers argued he had a right to family life.
His girlfriend, a Ukrainian dental assistant in west London, relies on him for “emotional and financial support”, the court accepted.
The couple are not believed to have any children.
The court ruled his deportation was likely to infringe on his private family life.
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But Ukrainian prosecutors argued Mr Kubrak was a member of an organised crime gang known for “armament, aggressiveness and cruelty”.
Chief magistrate Paul Golding, said: “This is one of the rare, exceptional cases where severe and catastrophic impact on private and family life outweighs the public interest in extradition.”
His lawyers also argued that he was not at the top of the criminal hierarchy.
They also told the court he was not told of the charges when he fled Ukraine.
Mr Kubrak’s lawyers noted his work effort as he had driving jobs and worked in a car wash.
He feared being sent to the the frontlines of the country and face combat in a war which has killed over 50,000 Ukrainians according to “official” figures.
His £20,000 bail was extended and he remains on a nightly curfew.
The Crown Prosecution Service is now appealing the decision.
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