Five Accused in Espionage Plot, Crown Prosecution Service Confirms
Five Bulgarian nationals are locked in the spotlight after being charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed. The suspects—Orlin Roussev (45), Bizer Dzhambazov (41), Katrin Ivanova (31), Ivan Stoyanov (31), and Vanya Gaberova (29)—allegedly plotted to gather intelligence “useful to an enemy” between August 2020 and February 2023.
Bulgarian Spies Facing Spy Charges
All five hail from 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 CPS’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, confirmed the charges. “We’ve authorised conspiracy to conduct espionage charges against these three men and two women suspected of spying,” he said.
Previous Charges Over Fake IDs
Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova were earlier slapped with charges on February 11, 2023, for 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.
CPS Stresses Fair Trial, Warns Against Prejudicial Reporting
“Criminal proceedings are ongoing, and all five defendants have the right to a fair trial,” Price stressed. He added a stern warning against any media coverage or social media sharing that could prejudice court proceedings.
Price elaborated that it’s not the CPS’s job to determine guilt. Instead, their role is to “make fair, independent, and objective decisions about whether charges should be laid for the court to consider.”
The five face Magistrates’ Court on September 26. The espionage saga continues to unfold as UK authorities crack down on alleged foreign spying operations.
