Bulgarian nationals detained in the U.K. for alleged espionage on behalf of Russia

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Three Bulgarian nationals have been arrested in the U.K. on suspicion of spying for Russia. They have been charged with possession of fake identity documents and allegedly worked for Russian security services. The defendants had been living and working in the U.K. for several years. They are set to go on trial in January.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 10:34 AM PT

Bulgarian nationals detained in the U.K. for alleged espionage on behalf of Russia

Three Bulgarian nationals have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia amid a major national security investigation conducted by the U.K., according to a report by BBC News.

The defendants, who have been in custody since February, have been identified as Orlin Roussev, 45 years old, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; Bizer Dzhambazov, 41 years old, from Harrow, northwest London; and Katrin Ivanova, 31 years old, also from Harrow, northwest London.

They have been charged with possession of identity documents with "improper intention," including passports and identity cards for various countries such as the U.K., Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and the Czech Republic.

According to the investigation, the defendants allegedly worked for Russian security services and were aware that the documents they possessed were fake. It has been revealed that all three had been living and working in the U.K. for several years.

Roussev, who moved to the U.K. in 2009, initially worked in financial services for three years before venturing into a business involved in signals intelligence. He had previous experience running a business in Russia and claimed to have worked as an advisor for Bulgaria's energy ministry.

Dzhambazov and Ivanova were known to be a couple, as confirmed by their neighbors. Dzhambazov worked as a driver for hospitals, while Ivanova's LinkedIn profile indicated that she worked as a laboratory assistant for a private health business.

The couple moved to the U.K. around 10 years ago and ran a community organization that provided services to Bulgarian people, helping them adapt to British society. They also worked for electoral commissions in London, facilitating voting in Bulgarian elections for Bulgarian citizens residing in the U.K.

Investigators reportedly spent a significant amount of time searching Dzhambazov and Ivanova's house in Harrow, with the police present for approximately a week.

The trial for the defendants is scheduled to take place in January, as reported by BBC News.