UK court finds Bulgarian nationals guilty of espionage for Russia

The three, living in London before their arrests, were part of a larger spy network that included fellow Bulgarians Orlin Roussev, 47, from Great Yarmouth, and Biser Dzhambazov, 43, from London, both of whom had previously admitted to espionage charges. Another defendant, Ivan Stoyanov, 34, also admitted to spying before the trial, and his conviction has now been publicly reported.

The espionage network operated between 2020 and 2023, conducting extensive surveillance on investigative journalists and military sites.

Among their targets were Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov, journalists who had exposed Russian intelligence’s involvement in the poisonings of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and former spy Sergei Skripal. The group also gathered intelligence on a US military base in Stuttgart, Germany, reportedly using advanced snooping technology.

Recovered evidence

Authorities recovered thousands of messages between the cell’s members, revealing discussions about kidnappings, assassinations, and honeytrap operations. The network was allegedly directed by Austrian businessman Jan Marsalek, a fugitive based in Moscow, who instructed members to conduct surveillance and extract sensitive information.

Roussev was identified as the ringleader, coordinating activities from a guesthouse in Norfolk equipped with high-end surveillance gear worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Ivanova was also convicted of possessing multiple forged passports, which were found at her residence in Harrow.

Courtroom reactions

During the verdict announcement, only Ivanchev was present in court, while Ivanova and Gaberova attended via video link from HMP Bronzefield. Both women remained passive as the guilty verdicts were read, while Ivanchev briefly nodded in acknowledgment.

According to reports by BBC and The Guardian, all three were convicted under conspiracy laws linked to the Official Secrets Act 1911, a charge carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

(With inputs from BBC and The Guardian)