Top News

Major Sentencing in Russian Espionage Case

London: A London judge has sentenced six Bulgarians to prison terms of up to nearly 11 years for their involvement in a complex espionage scheme on behalf of Russia.

The group, which adopted Hollywood-inspired aliases, plotted to kidnap or assassinate Kremlin critics while targeting journalists, diplomats, and Ukrainian military personnel across the UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Montenegro from 2020 to 2023, according to prosecutors.

Although no physical harm occurred, the actions of the group endangered lives, prosecutors emphasized.

Justice Nicholas Hilliard remarked, "The safety and interests of this nation are paramount. The defendants jeopardized these by using this country as a base for their operations... Anyone who engages in such activities here commits a serious offense."

Orlin Roussev, the group's leader, received the longest sentence of 10 years and 8 months for his role in all six operations uncovered by law enforcement. He and his accomplices faced potential sentences of up to 14 years.

Roussev was reportedly associated with Jan Marsalek, an alleged Russian agent wanted by Interpol for fraud linked to the 2020 collapse of the German payment processing company Wirecard. Marsalek's current location remains unknown.

Sentences Serve as a Warning

Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated that this case serves as a clear warning to adversaries that Britain will utilize its full capabilities to detect, disrupt, and deter hostile actions while safeguarding the public.

Roussev, 47, and his second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, 44, pleaded guilty to espionage and possession of false identity documents in London's Central Criminal Court last year. Dzhambazov received a sentence of 10 years and 2 months.

Roussev adopted the alias Jackie Chan, while Dzhambazov was known as Mad Max or Jean-Claude Van Damme. Their associates were humorously referred to as "Minions" after the animated film franchise.

Despite their playful nicknames, police described the group as a serious threat.

In one incident, the group attempted to ensnare a journalist who had exposed Russia's role in the 2018 Novichok poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, England, by attempting to lure him into a romantic trap with a female member of their team, Vanya Gaberova.

The spies tracked Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian journalist for Bellingcat, from Vienna to a conference in Valencia, Spain, where they discussed plans to rob, kill, or kidnap him and transport him to Russia.

"Realizing that foreign agents had been monitoring my movements and communications, and surveilling my loved ones for an extended period has been terrifying and disorienting," Grozev stated during the four-day sentencing hearing. "The impact has fundamentally altered my daily life and my interactions with the world."

Roussev Denies Espionage Claims

In another operation, the group surveilled a US air base in Germany, believing it was a training ground for Ukrainian forces.

After his arrest, Roussev denied any involvement with a government, stating, "I would love to see how there is a connection between me and Russia or any other state because I haven’t been a spy or government agent. No James Bond activity on my end, I assure you."

However, messages to Marsalek revealed discussions about his "Indiana Jones warehouse" filled with spy gear, and he likened himself to "Q," the inventor of James Bond's gadgets.

Roussev's residence was equipped with various surveillance technologies, including devices to jam Wi-Fi and GPS signals, eavesdropping tools, and hidden cameras disguised as everyday items.

Three of the so-called minions were found guilty of espionage in March. Katrin Ivanova, 33, received a sentence of 9 years and 8 months; Gaberova, 30, was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months; and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, received 8 years.

Ivan Stoyanov, 33, a mixed martial arts fighter who admitted to spying for Russia, was sentenced to 5 years and 3 weeks.

All convicts are expected to face deportation upon their release.

Spy Ring Involves Love Triangle

During the trial, both women claimed they were manipulated by Dzhambazov, who was in a relationship with both Ivanova, his lab assistant and long-term partner, and Gaberova, a beautician.

Gaberova left Ivanchev for Dzhambazov, who treated her to fine dining and luxury accommodations during their missions. When arrested, police found Dzhambazov in bed with Gaberova instead of at home with Ivanova.

Defense attorney Anthony Metzer argued that Gaberova was naive and tragically drawn into criminality by Dzhambazov's charm.

However, the judge noted that she was aware her actions were in service of Russia, stating, "You found what you were doing exciting and glamorous, as shown by the video you took of yourself wearing surveillance glasses in Montenegro."

---