Three Bulgarian nationals were found guilty by a jury in London for their involvement in a Russian espionage ring, shedding light on increasing covert operations on European soil.
Three Bulgarians Convicted of Espionage for Russia in the UK
Three Bulgarians Convicted of Espionage for Russia in the UK
A London jury convicted three Bulgarians of engaging in espionage activities for Russia, marking a significant breakthrough in counterintelligence operations against foreign state threats.
On March 7, 2025, it was reported that a London jury had convicted three Bulgarians of spying on behalf of the Russian government in Britain and Europe. This case is being hailed as a breakthrough in uncovering one of the largest espionage operations linked to Russia, as authorities reveal details of extensive surveillance missions conducted by the defendants.
The investigation, which lasted three years, involved the group led by Orlin Roussev, a 47-year-old Bulgarian I.T. specialist. During this time, they executed six surveillance operations targeting journalists and other critics of the Russian government, including monitoring activities at a U.S. military site in Germany, where Ukrainian forces were reportedly being trained.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the growing threat of state-sponsored espionage in the U.K., particularly highlighting the outsourcing of spying activities by foreign governments.
Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, were among the defendants found guilty; they had claimed ignorance of the true nature of their actions or insisted they were misled by their superiors. Prior to the trial, Roussev, alongside two other members - Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, and Ivan Stoyanov, 34 - had already entered guilty pleas. All involved are set to face sentencing in May.
Commander Murphy stated that the verdicts vindicate the extensive and sophisticated investigation into the group’s activities, emphasizing the urgent need to address and counter the rising tide of espionage linked to foreign nations operating within the U.K.
The investigation, which lasted three years, involved the group led by Orlin Roussev, a 47-year-old Bulgarian I.T. specialist. During this time, they executed six surveillance operations targeting journalists and other critics of the Russian government, including monitoring activities at a U.S. military site in Germany, where Ukrainian forces were reportedly being trained.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the growing threat of state-sponsored espionage in the U.K., particularly highlighting the outsourcing of spying activities by foreign governments.
Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, were among the defendants found guilty; they had claimed ignorance of the true nature of their actions or insisted they were misled by their superiors. Prior to the trial, Roussev, alongside two other members - Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, and Ivan Stoyanov, 34 - had already entered guilty pleas. All involved are set to face sentencing in May.
Commander Murphy stated that the verdicts vindicate the extensive and sophisticated investigation into the group’s activities, emphasizing the urgent need to address and counter the rising tide of espionage linked to foreign nations operating within the U.K.
