Five Bulgarians suspected of spying for UK Russia – World

Five Bulgarian nationals will be charged in the United Kingdom with their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to spy for Russia between August 2020 and February 2023. Orlin Roussev, Bizer Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova, Ivan Stoyanov and Vanya Gaberova will be at Westminster. Court next Tuesday, September 26th.

REUTERS/Toby Melville

A reference states that at issue would be “conspiracy to collect information useful to the enemy, directly or indirectly, with intent to harm the security and interests of the State”. Apparently, the group was involved in at least one surveillance operation in Montenegro. According to local police, they are working on creating fake identity cards for journalists, one of which will contain a photo of Katrin Ivanova.

While officers searched the 31-year-old woman’s property, they also went to the homes of Byser Djambazov, 41, and Arlin Rusev, 45. During the search, false passports and identity documents from the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and France were found. Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and the Czech Republic. These fakes are believed to be created by Rusev.

The 45-year-old is known for his track record in trade negotiations with Russia. In 2009 he moved to the United Kingdom, where he lived in a series of suburban properties. On his LinkedIn profile, he also says he owns a signal intelligence company that involves analyzing communication signals such as phone or email. In addition, he has also held roles in financial services and says he most recently served as a consultant to the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy.

Bizer Dzhambazov is described on his LinkdIn profile as a hospital driver. Former neighbors said they believed he was having an affair with Katherine Ivanova, 41, in the London borough of Harrow where he lived. The latter would have worked as a laboratory assistant in a private healthcare institution.

Although they played different roles, the two, who had already moved to the United Kingdom for more than a decade, had one thing in common. According to Bulgarian government documents available online, both worked for electoral commissions in London. They also jointly ran a social organization that provided services such as acclimating Bulgarians to the “culture and ethos of British society”.

Vanya Khaberova, 29, is an award-winning beautician who heads the company Beautiful Woman. He also refereed eyeball competitions. British media reports that no information has been released about Ivan Stoyanov. The city police are continuing to investigate the matter.