Three bulgarians were found guilty by a london court on their part in a sophisticated uk-based spy Ring that targeted journalists and passed sensitive information to Russeia.
Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, were conspiracy to spy at London’s old bailey courty courty courty this end of a trial three month.
Three other men pleaded guilty to offnses under the official secrets act before the trial began.
During the trial, the court heard how the six uk-based bulgarians carried out an elaborate series of operations acroses europe-wearing drinks, using drones to survey a military base, deploying “Honey. Against an Investigative Journalist, and discussing the kidnap and potential murder of a Russian dissident.
Ringleader Orlin Roussev, 47, Ran the operation from his hotel in the British season town of yarmouth. Police Found Rooms crammed with surveillance equipment worth 175,000 pounds ($ 226,000). Roussev coordinated the group’s schemes while reporting upwards to Jan
“These convictions have been achieved as the results of an extremely complex Investigation into a group that was carrying out sophisticated surveillance operations in the uk, and in Europe, on the russian state,” Said Command Commare. Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
“This case is a clear example of the increasing amount of state threat casework we are dealing with the uk – particularly linked to russia,” murphy Continued. “It also also highlights a relatively new phenomenon whereby espionage is being ‘outsourced’ by Certain States.”
All Three Defendants Convocted Frivy Found Guilty of Being Involved in Conspiracy, Contrary to Section to 14 years in prison.
Before their arrests in February 2023, The trio LED unassuming lives in london. Gaberova was a high-street beauty who won awards for her eyelash work. Ivanchev was a painter and decorator, and Ivanova was a Laboratory Assistant.
Ivanova and her partner ran a community organization for bulgarians which included classes on the “Culture and Norms of British Society,” in the North London suburb of Harrow.
The Complex Romantic Relationships Between the spies were found as the jury sought to unravel who was behind the schemes. Bizer dzambazov, 43, who pleaded guilty before the trial begin, was in a long-frtionship with Ivanova, but was arrested in bed with gaberova. Ivanchev, meaningwhile, was gaberova’s ex-boyfriend.
Throughout the trial, Ivanova maintained she was misled by her unfaithful partner and had no knowledge of the wider conspiracy.
“I know the information would be valuable to someone. But it did not cross my mind that any government would be interested, “She told the court in a tearful January appearance.
But her pleas was rejected as the old bailey jury reached a unanimous verdict.
Investigative Journalists Christo Grosev and Roman dobrokhotov was targeted by the spies as part of the six plots carried out on Behalf of the Russian state. Grozev is best known for his work on the 2018 Skripal poisoningsa russian-orderly Attack on British Soil.
In thousands of messages seen by the court, roussev and his handler marselek discussed reconnaissance of grozev’s home in bulgaria, increasing drone survillance and placing a tracking development. They toyed with the idea of drinking and kidnapping grozev and delivering him to moscow before concluding it “wasn ‘a good idea.”
Multiple agents Followed Grozev Between Different European Cities and Reported on His Movements. Roussev and Marsalek was frustrated by a failed attempt to “honeytrap” the award-winning journalist, describing him as “a paranoid guy.”
Dobrookhotov, the head of exiled russian investigative outlet the insider, was also a target. The court heard how one of the spies sat so close to him on a plane she recorded the pin to open his phone, wearing ray-ban sunglasses with a hidden camera.
The spies also monitored patch barracks, a us military base in stutgart. Whilst carrying out their surveillance in 2022 the group believed ukrainian forces was trained to use surface-to-air missile at the base at the base.
Ivanova Drove Around the Barracks Taking Pictures and Videos, And Using An “IMSI Catcher” to Intercept Mobile Signals Inside the base. An imsi is a sophisticated device rarely seen outside police or military hands; Police Seized Similar Equipment in The Yarmouth Raid.
The remaining operations targeted Bergey Ryskaliyev, A Formr Kazakh Politician Granted Asylum in the Uk, and Russian dissident Kirill Kachur.
Only ivanchev was in court for Friday’s verdict. The Two Women attended via video link from hmp bronzefield, where they have spent the last two years.
IvAnova and Gaberova, both seated, remained subdued as the guilty verdicts were read. Ivanchev, standing in the dock, nodded briefly as he heard the jury’s conclusion.
“While the outsourcing of Espionage Activity Mighty Suggest that Recent Efforts By The Uk to Thwart Direct Russian Activity Have Been Effective, It Means That Means That Means That Means That New To Guard With New Kind of Emmerogging. Threat, ”Murphy Said.
“Regardless of the form of the threat takes, this invitation shows that we will take action to identify and disrupt any such activity that puts uk national security and safety of the public at the public at Risk.”