Five individuals are set to face charges of conspiracy to conduct espionage, according to an announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The accused, identified as Orlin Roussev (45), Bizer Dzhambazov (41), Katrin Ivanova (31), Ivan Stoyanov (31), and Vanya Gaberova (29), are believed to have conspired to collect information intended to be useful to an enemy. These charges stem from alleged offences occurring between August 30, 2020, and February 8, 2023.

All five individuals involved in the case are understood to be Bulgarian nationals. The CPS’s Nick Price, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated, “The CPS has authorized a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.”

Furthermore, Price mentioned that Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova had previously been charged on February 11, 2023, with possession of false identity documents with improper intention under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010. The charges have arisen following an investigation carried out by the Metropolitan Police.

“Criminal proceedings against the five individuals are active, and they each have the right to a fair trial,” emphasised Price. He also stressed the importance of refraining from any reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online that could potentially prejudice the proceedings.

Price concluded by clarifying the role of the CPS, stating, “The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.”

The five defendants are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 26. Among them, Roussev hails from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Dzhambazov from Harrow in northwest London, Ivanova from Harrow as well, Stoyanov from Greenford in west London, and Gaberova from Churchway in northwest London.