Charges follow North East Command Unit investigation
A 21-year-old man has been charged with racially and religiously-aggravated criminal damage following a series of incidents in which offensive graffiti was sprayed on Muslim organisations and venues across east London.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Illia Bilyk, 21, of Field Road, E7, has been charged with five counts of the offence following an investigation by detectives from the Met’s North East Command Unit.
The charges relate to incidents dating back to January 2025, when offensive graffiti was sprayed on buildings across the east of the capital.
The incidents
Police say the charges concern graffiti daubed at the following locations:
- Stratford Islamic Association, Brydges Road, E15 — 23 January 2025
- Al-Birr Mosque, Church Road, E10 — 23 January 2025
- Leyton Jamia Masjid, High Road, E10 — 23 January 2025
- Noor Ul Islam Primary School, Dawlish Road, E10 — 25 January 2025
- Islamic Shariah Council, Francis Road, E10 — 25 January 2025
Three of the incidents took place on the same day in January 2025, with the remaining two following two days later. The locations span Stratford, Leyton and surrounding areas of east London.
Court appearance
Bilyk was due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 17 September. The case will now proceed through the courts. As the matter is subject to criminal proceedings, the charges are allegations and no finding of guilt has been made.
An investigation spanning more than 20 months
The incidents date back to January 2025, meaning the investigation by the North East Command Unit’s detectives ran for more than 20 months before charges were brought. The Metropolitan Police announced the charges on 16 September 2026.
Racially and religiously-aggravated criminal damage is charged as an aggravated offence, which the courts treat more seriously than basic criminal damage, with a higher maximum sentence on conviction.
Met: ‘No place for anti-Muslim hate crime in London’
Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt, who leads policing in the area, said officers recognised the impact the incidents had on local communities.
“We recognise that these incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London last year and that they continue to cause concern.
“Anti-Muslim hate crime and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in London. We are committed to tackling hate crime while supporting and reassuring our communities.
“We would encourage anyone with concerns, or who has experienced or witnessed anti-Muslim hate crime, to contact police and report it.”
The Met’s news release was published on 16 September 2026, and the charges follow a prolonged investigation by the North East Command Unit’s detectives.
What happens next
The case remains before the courts, and further details may emerge as proceedings develop. The Metropolitan Police continues to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed anti-Muslim hate crime to come forward and report it.
Reporting based on the Metropolitan Police news release.
