Three Bulgarians Convicted of Industrial-Scale Espionage for Russia
Three Bulgarians were found guilty of espionage for Russia, with operations conducted from a UK base. Their activities included spying on Ukrainian troops and dissidents, utilizing advanced surveillance strategies. They are expected to receive substantial prison sentences following their trial.
Three Bulgarians were convicted by a London jury for engaging in extensive espionage for Russia. These activities, executed from their base in the UK, included surveillance of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany, Kremlin opponents, and various journalists and diplomats throughout Europe. The police described these operations as being conducted on an “industrial scale.”
The individuals, Katrin Ivanova (43), Vanya Gaberova (30), and Tihomir Ivanchev (39), were part of a spy cell linked to the Russian intelligence service GRU. They face lengthy prison sentences, potentially up to 14 years, following a trial that also implicated three other members of their group.
The leader of their operation, Orlin Roussev (47), alongside two co-conspirators who also pleaded guilty, acknowledged receiving significant funding for their intelligence-gathering missions, amounting to over 200,000 euros. The mastermind of this spy ring was identified as Jan Marsalek (44), an Austrian businessman wanted by Interpol.
Marsalek functioned as the coordinator between Russian intelligence and the spy group, instructing them on various operations across several countries until their arrest. Notably, British authorities uncovered significant spying strategies targeting Ukrainian military activities and notable Russian dissidents.
One of the operations involved the surveillance of Christo Grozev, a journalist known for reporting on the Skripal poisoning incident. The group also considered dramatic actions, such as using drones to simulate protests outside embassies to elicit responses from foreign spies. The operation saw police seizing advanced surveillance technology from Roussev’s base in Great Yarmouth, including devices concealed in everyday objects.
In a personal twist, some defendants were involved in romantic relationships that intertwined with their criminal activities. Upon arrest, the police discovered one of the defendants in bed with a co-conspirator, indicating that their personal circumstances complicated the unfolding of their espionage activities. All defendants were remanded in custody until their sentencing scheduled for May 2023.
The convictions of these Bulgarian nationals highlight a significant case of espionage linked to Russian intelligence. Their extensive operations, which have threatened lives and national security across Europe, showcase the complexities of intelligence work in modern geopolitics. With robust evidence against them and substantial sentences looming, the case reflects ongoing tensions and the persistent risk of espionage amidst international conflicts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
