Three Bulgarians Convicted of Russian Espionage in Britain
In a case that has sent shockwaves through European intelligence circles, three Bulgarian nationals were convicted in London of conducting extensive espionage for Russia. The trio—Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39—were found guilty by a London jury at the Central Criminal Court on Friday after a trial that exposed the scale of their activities across the continent.
Prosecutors described their operation as espionage conducted on an “industrial scale,” alleging that their actions posed significant risks to national security. The group’s clandestine surveillance spanned from 2020 to 2023, targeting critical locations and individuals across Europe.
A Web of Deception and Betrayal
A particularly salacious aspect of the trial was the revelation of the spies’ entanglement in sexual relationships with each other and their handlers. This, prosecutors argued, further complicated their denials, as they claimed ignorance about the true nature of their operations and who they were ultimately working for. However, the evidence presented painted a starkly different picture, suggesting that their actions were deliberate and methodical.
Among their targets was a U.S. air base in Germany, where Ukrainian troops were reportedly being trained. The prosecution alleged that the spies not only gathered intelligence but also discussed potential plans to kidnap or even assassinate individuals seen as adversaries of the Russian state.
Threats Against Journalists and Opposition Figures
The extent of their activities went beyond military surveillance. The trio allegedly participated in efforts to silence critics of Moscow, including an attempt to ensnare a Bulgarian journalist—who had uncovered Russia’s involvement in the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury, England—in a deceptive “honeytrap” operation. Additionally, discussions reportedly took place about the potential robbery, abduction, or murder of Christo Grozev, a journalist from investigative outlet Bellingcat, known for exposing Russian intelligence operations.
The Broader Spy Network
The convicted trio was not working alone. Two additional defendants, Orlin Roussev and Biser Dzhambazov, had previously pleaded guilty to espionage and possession of fraudulent identity documents. Roussev, 47, was identified as a key figure within the operation, allegedly receiving directives from Austrian national Jan Marsalek—an individual with suspected deep ties to Russian intelligence.
The case has heightened concerns about the extent of Russian espionage networks operating within Europe, particularly in the wake of heightened geopolitical tensions. British and European security agencies continue to assess the broader implications of this spy ring, as calls grow for tighter counterintelligence measures to combat foreign infiltration.
This conviction underscores the ongoing struggle between Western intelligence agencies and Russian operatives who remain active across the continent. As authorities dismantle this particular network, the question remains: How many more remain undiscovered?
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Three Bulgarians Convicted of Russian Espionage in Britain