Bulgarians implicated in UK investigation of alleged Russian espionage

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【Summary】Three Bulgarian nationals have been charged with possession of false identity documents with improper intention as part of a British police investigation into suspected Russian spying. The defendants, who have lived in the UK for years, were arrested in February and are alleged to have been working for the Russian security services. They are currently in custody and are expected to stand trial next year.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 7:55 AM PT

Bulgarians implicated in UK investigation of alleged Russian espionage

Three Bulgarian nationals are facing criminal charges as part of a British police investigation into suspected spying on behalf of Russia. In February, officers from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Operations Unit arrested five individuals on suspicion of an offense under the U.K.'s Official Secrets Act. The Metropolitan Police has subsequently charged three of them with possession of false identity documents with improper intention under the Identity Documents Act.

The arrests were part of a major national security investigation, with allegations that those held were working for the Russian security services. The individuals involved have been named as Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzambazov, and Katrin Ivanova. They appeared at London's Central Criminal Court on July 31 and were remanded in custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 28, and a trial is expected to take place in January of next year.

According to the BBC, the three defendants have been living in the U.K. for several years and have held various jobs while residing in suburban properties. Two of them live in north-west London, while the third resides in Norfolk.