In a shocking revelation, three Bulgarian nationals have been found guilty of spying for Russia in what authorities have described as one of the largest foreign intelligence operations in the UK. Vanya Gaberova, Katrin Ivanova, and Tihomir Ivanchev, all residing in London, were part of a group that conducted surveillance on journalists, a former politician, and a US military base in Germany between 2020 and 2023. Despite their seemingly ordinary day jobs as a beautician, a healthcare worker, and a decorator, these individuals were involved in a sinister plot that included kidnapping, killing targets, and setting up honeytraps.
The methods employed by this spy cell were likened to those found in a spy novel, according to Metropolitan Police’s Cdr Dominic Murphy. Gaberova, Ivanova, and Ivanchev were convicted of conspiracy to spy, with Ivanova facing an additional charge of possessing multiple false identity documents. They were working under the direction of Orlin Roussev, who operated the spy ring from a former guest house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Police discovered a plethora of spying gadgets and equipment at the location, including hidden cameras in ties, a fake rock, and glasses with recording devices.
The cell’s primary targets were investigative journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov, known for exposing Russia’s involvement in high-profile cases like the nerve agent attacks on Alexei Navalny and Sergei Skripal. The surveillance operations extended to a military site where Ukrainian soldiers were being trained during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The sophistication of the spy cell’s activities was highlighted during the trial, with prosecutor Alison Morgan KC describing their methods as advanced and sophisticated.
The investigation uncovered a vast array of mobile phones, sim cards, drones, and surveillance devices used by the spy ring. Cdr Murphy emphasized the national security threat posed by this operation, noting its complexity and potential harm to individuals. Orlin Roussev, the mastermind behind the operation, received instructions from Jan Marsalek, an Austrian national wanted in Germany for financial fraud linked to Wirecard. Marsalek was described as an intermediary for Russian intelligence services, recruiting Roussev and subsequently other Bulgarians for espionage activities.
The defendants’ backgrounds painted a picture of seemingly ordinary lives intertwined with espionage. Roussev, a former chief technology officer, recruited individuals like Stoyanov, a medical courier and mixed martial arts fighter, and Dzhambazov and Ivanova, a couple working in healthcare and community organizations. The relationships within the spy cell added a layer of complexity, with romantic entanglements between the defendants further complicating the case.
During the trial, the prosecution detailed six operations carried out by the spy cell, targeting individuals like Grozev, Dobrokhotov, and political dissidents. The elaborate plans included surveillance, kidnapping plots, and disruptive activities aimed at furthering Russia’s interests. The level of detail and planning involved in these operations underscored the seriousness of the espionage activities conducted by the Bulgarian nationals.
The trial shed light on a sophisticated and far-reaching spy operation that posed a significant threat to national security. The intricate web of relationships, motives, and actions carried out by the defendants revealed a dark underbelly of espionage activities on UK soil. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by foreign intelligence operations and the need for vigilance in safeguarding national security.
