Bulgarians Convicted in UK for Espionage Linked to Wirecard Fugitive
LONDON – In a case that underscores growing tensions between the West and Russia, three Bulgarian nationals have been convicted in a London court for their role in a Russian espionage operation allegedly orchestrated by Jan Marsalek, the fugitive former executive of collapsed payments company Wirecard.
The trial at the Old Bailey revealed that the espionage ring engaged in extensive intelligence-gathering, including surveillance on Ukrainian soldiers training at a U.S. military base in Germany. The operation, prosecutors argued, aimed to track their movements on the battlefield following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
A Fugitive Mastermind?
Marsalek, an Austrian national wanted by German authorities for his alleged involvement in Wirecard’s financial fraud, is believed to be in Russia. According to British prosecutors, he directed the espionage unit from exile and even discussed extreme measures such as kidnapping journalists critical of the Kremlin and smuggling them back to Russia.
“This was spying on an almost industrial scale on behalf of Russia, the Russian state, and Russian intelligence services,” said Commander Dominic Murphy of the London police’s Counter Terrorism Command. He emphasized Marsalek’s role as a liaison between the spy ring and Russian intelligence.
Moscow has consistently denied allegations of espionage, and the Russian embassy in London has not commented on the case. However, the UK government has repeatedly accused Russia of attempting to destabilize Europe, a claim bolstered by the findings of this case.
A Web of Espionage
The leader of the spy ring, Orlin Roussev, 47, along with his deputy Biser Dzhambazov, 43, and Ivan Stoyanov, all pleaded guilty to conspiring to collect intelligence beneficial to an enemy state. Roussev reportedly funneled over €200,000 ($216,880) to Dzhambazov, who then distributed funds among the group.
A jury found three additional defendants—Katrin Ivanova, 43, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev, 39—guilty of the same charge. Ivanova was also convicted for possessing false identity documents, including passports bearing Marsalek’s photo.
The defense attempted to downplay their involvement, with some defendants claiming ignorance of their true mission and others insisting they believed they were working for Interpol. The jury, however, dismissed these explanations, finding overwhelming evidence of espionage activities.
Surveillance Operations and Russian Influence
The group’s missions included an attempt to intercept mobile phone signals at the Patch Barracks, a U.S. military base in Stuttgart, Germany, where Ukrainian soldiers were receiving Patriot missile training. Additionally, they allegedly conspired to deploy an IMSI catcher—a surveillance device—in the UK before their arrest in 2023.
One of the most alarming revelations involved discussions between Marsalek and Roussev about targeting Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist with Bellingcat. The espionage team allegedly planned to steal his computer, kidnap him, and either deliver him to Russia or assassinate him.
Other known targets included Russian dissident Kiril Kachur, former Kazakh politician Bergey Ryskaliyev, and Roman Dobrokhotov, editor-in-chief of The Insider, a Russian investigative media outlet.
A Spy Ring in the Shadows
British authorities also uncovered a bizarre and disturbing collection of espionage tools, including 75 fake passports and ID documents in 55 different names. Additionally, a plush toy equipped with a spy camera was discovered, alongside surveillance equipment used in their operations.
Investigators noted that Roussev and Dzhambazov referred to the others in their network as “the minions,” a possible reference to the animated film series Despicable Me—an unsettling indication of their casual attitude towards serious criminal activities.
Legal Consequences and Diplomatic Fallout
The convicted individuals now await sentencing in May, with Judge Nicholas Hilliard warning that prison terms are imminent. This case further exacerbates the already tense diplomatic relations between London and Moscow, reinforcing UK allegations that Russia is actively attempting to subvert European stability through espionage and covert operations.
While the Russian state continues to deny involvement, the trial’s findings add another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape, revealing the persistent threat posed by state-sponsored espionage operations in the West.
This conviction highlights the evolving nature of modern espionage, where financial crimes, state-sponsored surveillance, and political maneuvering intertwine. As Britain tightens its counterintelligence measures, the case serves as a stark warning that foreign intelligence networks remain embedded within Western societies, operating in ways both sophisticated and disturbingly casual.
Reference
Bulgarians Convicted in UK for Espionage Linked to Wirecard Fugitive