A man who claimed to be from a Russian terrorist military organisation threatened attendees at a Suffolk re-enactment event before his arrest. 

Piotr Kucharski, 49, of The Glebe, Watford, was convicted last Friday after admitting he claimed to be a member of the Wagner Group, a proscribed terrorist organisation as labelled by the UK government.

The investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) found Kucharski had attended an event in Stonham Aspal in October 2023 - despite previously being banned from the group.

He threatened participants at the event, telling them he was a member of the Wagner Group and that he had previously fought in Ukraine.

Following a disagreement with another attendee, Kucharski then made a cut-throat symbol and, while walking away from others, began slashing the air with a knife.

Officers from Suffolk police were called and arrested him for a public order offence and possession of a bladed article.

He was subsequently re-arrested under terrorism legislation after officers found Wagner Group badges sown to his camouflage jacket.

The investigation was then passed to ERSOU’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit, and Kucharski was later charged with professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.

He initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to the offence.

He will appear for sentencing at the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, on November 1.

Hannah Wilkinson, head of ERSOU, said: “Kucharski was clearly intent on causing alarm and distress by feigning membership of Wagner Group, and he was promptly arrested after concerned members of the public raised the alarm about his behaviour.

“There’s no indication that Kucharski fought in Ukraine or was actually a member of Wagner Group, however pertaining to have done so is also a severe offence, particularly given he was very overt with his support for the banned group.

“Our teams work diligently to keep our region safe from the threat of terrorism, and we will continue to ensure those looking to cause harm and disruption in our communities are brought to justice.”