Three Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia in UK
- Three Bulgarian nationals were convicted of espionage activities for Russia, committing acts that endangered lives over a three-year period.
- Their operations included surveillance of Russian dissidents and plans to kidnap and kill specified targets.
- The case highlights the threat posed by Russian intelligence in Europe and reflects increasing challenges in combating such espionage.
In a significant espionage case, three Bulgarian nationals based in the United Kingdom were found guilty of spying for Russia. The trial, which took place at London's Central Criminal Court, revealed their extensive activities spanning across Europe from 2020 to 2023. Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were accused of endangering lives while acting under the direction of Russian intelligence. Their operations included surveillance on Russian dissidents, who were targeted for various plots, such as kidnapping and even assassination. The group was implicated in attempts to lure a Bulgarian journalist into a deceptive romantic relationship as part of their espionage tactics. Upon their arrest, authorities uncovered a trove of sophisticated spying equipment, including hidden recording devices, drones, and hundreds of mobile phones and SIM cards. The case underscores growing concerns over Russian intelligence activities in Europe and the methods employed to gather sensitive information. The defendants claimed ignorance of the full extent of their involvement, alleging deception by their supervisors and handler, yet the evidence pointed towards a well-coordinated operation that posed serious threats to national security. The judge remanded the defendants in custody, with sentencing scheduled for May 2025, where they are expected to face significant prison terms for their extensive criminal conduct.