The investigation unveiled sophisticated surveillance operations targeting journalists and military sites.
Three Bulgarians Convicted of Espionage for Russia in the UK and Europe
Three Bulgarians Convicted of Espionage for Russia in the UK and Europe
A London jury reveals troubling details about a major Russian espionage scheme involving Bulgarian nationals.
Three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted of espionage for Russia, marking a significant development in the ongoing issue of foreign interference in the UK and Europe. The group, which conducted surveillance operations from 2020 to 2023, was led by Orlin Roussev—a 47-year-old I.T. specialist. The jury's verdict was delivered at a London court, where evidence indicated that the group was involved in six major operations, including targeting journalists and monitoring a U.S. military training site in Germany.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, underscored the case as a disturbing example of the rising state threats the UK faces, especially from Russia. He noted that this represents a concerning trend of espionage activities being outsourced by state actors to civilian operatives. Alongside Roussev, three other members of the group—Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, and Tihomir Ivanchev—were found guilty, despite their claims of ignorance regarding their true affiliations. Prior to the trial, Roussev and two additional accomplices, Bizer Dzhambazov and Ivan Stoyanov, had already admitted guilt.
The investigation into the network was characterized as extremely intricate and revealed the group's extensive connections and capabilities in orchestrating sophisticated surveillance in the UK and Europe on behalf of the Russian state. As sentencing is set for May, the outcome of this case is likely to further influence discussions on national security and foreign espionage.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, underscored the case as a disturbing example of the rising state threats the UK faces, especially from Russia. He noted that this represents a concerning trend of espionage activities being outsourced by state actors to civilian operatives. Alongside Roussev, three other members of the group—Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, and Tihomir Ivanchev—were found guilty, despite their claims of ignorance regarding their true affiliations. Prior to the trial, Roussev and two additional accomplices, Bizer Dzhambazov and Ivan Stoyanov, had already admitted guilt.
The investigation into the network was characterized as extremely intricate and revealed the group's extensive connections and capabilities in orchestrating sophisticated surveillance in the UK and Europe on behalf of the Russian state. As sentencing is set for May, the outcome of this case is likely to further influence discussions on national security and foreign espionage.
