Five Bulgarian nationals have been charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed. The accused are Orlin Roussev (45), Bizer Dzhambazov (41), Katrin Ivanova (31), Ivan Stoyanov (31), and Vanya Gaberova (29).
The suspects allegedly plotted to collect intelligence “useful to an enemy” between August 2020 and February 2023. All five individuals come from various towns and boroughs across England: Roussev from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; Dzhambazov and Ivanova from Harrow, northwest London; Stoyanov from Greenford, west London; and Gaberova from Churchway, northwest London.
Nick Price, head of the CPS’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, confirmed the charges, stating, “We’ve authorised conspiracy to conduct espionage charges against these three men and two women suspected of spying.”
Earlier, on February 11, 2023, Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova were charged with possessing false identity documents with criminal intent, under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010. The Metropolitan Police led the investigation into the alleged espionage ring.
Price emphasized the importance of a fair trial, saying, “Criminal proceedings are ongoing, and all five defendants have the right to a fair trial.” He also warned against media coverage or social media sharing that could prejudice court proceedings.
He further explained that the CPS’s role is not to determine guilt but to “make fair, independent, and objective decisions about whether charges should be laid for the court to consider.”
The five defendants are scheduled to appear at Magistrates’ Court on September 26. The case highlights ongoing efforts by UK authorities to combat alleged foreign spying operations.
Originally published by UKNIP.
