Five Bulgarians dwelling within the UK have been charged with spying for Russia, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has mentioned.
Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will probably be charged with conspiring to gather info supposed to be helpful to an enemy, the CPS mentioned in a press release.
The alleged offences occurred between 30 August 2020 and eight February 2023.
Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, mentioned: “The CPS has authorised a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.
“Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova have been beforehand charged on 11 February 2023 with possession of false id paperwork with improper intention beneath part 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010.”
Mr Price added: “The charges follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police‘s Counter Terrorism Command.
“Criminal proceedings towards the 5 people are energetic and so they every have the correct to a good trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
“The perform of the CPS is to not determine whether or not an individual is responsible of a legal offence, however to make truthful, impartial and goal assessments about whether or not it’s acceptable to current expenses for a legal court docket to think about.”
The 5 defendants are attributable to seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 26 September.
Roussev is from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, Dzhambazov and Ivanova are from Harrow in northwest London, Stoyanov is from Greenford, west London, and Gaberova is from Churchway, northwest London.
Source: information.sky.com”