Six Bulgarians Sentenced in Major Espionage Case Linked to Russian Intelligence
On Monday, six Bulgarian nationals residing in the UK were sentenced to prison for espionage activities conducted on behalf of Russia across Europe. The group, consisting of four men and two women, was involved in significant operations that raised alarm across multiple countries.
The leader, Orlin Roussev, received a sentence of ten years and eight months in prison, while his second-in-command, Biser Dzhambazov, was sentenced to ten years and two months. Other members, including Katrin Ivanova, were sentenced to nine years and eight months, while Tihomir Ivanchev, Ivan Stoyanov, and Vanya Gaberova received sentences ranging from six to eight years.
Dzhambazov, Roussev, and Stoyanov admitted their guilt, whereas the others were convicted following a judgment by a London court in March. This case stands as one of the largest espionage incidents in the UK in recent years.
Prosecutors revealed that the group carried out surveillance operations not only in the UK but also in Austria, Spain, Germany, and Montenegro. Their targets included journalists, Russian dissidents, politicians, and Ukrainian soldiers who were receiving training at a military base in Germany. These activities were reportedly funded in exchange for financial compensation.
Further investigations linked the group to Jan Marsalek, an Austrian fugitive who formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer of Wirecard, an online payment company. Since 2020, Marsalek has been wanted for fraud and is suspected to be hiding in Moscow.
The group's communications included contacts via Telegram with the GRU, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian military, underscoring the depth of their connection to Russian intelligence operations. This case draws attention not only to the threats posed by foreign espionage but also highlights the increasing complexities of international security in an age of rising geopolitical tensions.
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