Daniel De Simone reporting as an Investigations Correspondent for the BBC, detailed the conviction of three London-based Bulgarian nationals for spying for Russia. Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, and Tihomir Ivanchev were part of a group of individuals engaged in espionage activities between 2020 and 2023. Their elaborate surveillance included targeting investigative journalists and a US military base in Germany, with operations spanning across Europe from their UK base.
Investigators discovered a trove of incriminating messages exchanged between the spy cell’s leaders, outlining sinister plots such as kidnapping, assassination, and honeytrap schemes. The trio faced charges of conspiracy to spy, with Ivanova also convicted of possessing false identity documents. Additionally, fellow Bulgarians Orlin Roussev and Biser Dzhambazov had admitted to conspiracy to spy, while a sixth defendant, Ivan Stoyanov, revealed his involvement before the trial commenced.
Prosecutors highlighted the sophisticated nature of the spy cell’s operations, involving surveillance, false identities, and advanced technology for intelligence gathering. The mastermind behind the espionage activities, Roussev, operated under the directives of Jan Marsalek, a key intermediary for Russian intelligence services. The spy ring had diverse backgrounds, with members engaging in seemingly unrelated professions, including beautician, painter, and decorator. The investigation revealed a complex web of relationships among the defendants, adding layers of intrigue to the spy saga
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