Three Bulgarians living in the United Kingdom have been convicted by a London court of espionage activities linked to the Russian state, revealing a large espionage operation that spanned across Europe. The group was found guilty for their involvement in surveillance activities targeting critics of the Russian government, as well as a U.S. military installation in Germany.
The court heard that Orlin Roussev, 47, the leader of the group and an I.T. expert, had already pleaded guilty prior to the trial, which covered the years 2020 to 2023. Alongside him, plaintiffs Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, denied any wrongdoing, asserting they were unaware of the group's intentions.
The case is emblematic of the increasing concerns regarding state-sponsored threats within the UK, marked by a trend where espionage efforts are being seemingly outsourced by certain nations, according to Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. Additional guilty pleas came from two other accused individuals, Bizer Dzhambazov and Ivan Stoyanov.
In the face of rising tensions, the police described the case as a complex investigation into sophisticated surveillance operations. The defendants are set to face sentencing in May, further emphasizing the UK’s position against espionage and foreign interference.
The court heard that Orlin Roussev, 47, the leader of the group and an I.T. expert, had already pleaded guilty prior to the trial, which covered the years 2020 to 2023. Alongside him, plaintiffs Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, denied any wrongdoing, asserting they were unaware of the group's intentions.
The case is emblematic of the increasing concerns regarding state-sponsored threats within the UK, marked by a trend where espionage efforts are being seemingly outsourced by certain nations, according to Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. Additional guilty pleas came from two other accused individuals, Bizer Dzhambazov and Ivan Stoyanov.
In the face of rising tensions, the police described the case as a complex investigation into sophisticated surveillance operations. The defendants are set to face sentencing in May, further emphasizing the UK’s position against espionage and foreign interference.
