Six Bulgarians sentenced to UK prison for espionage for Russia
Six Bulgarians were sentenced by a London court for espionage in favor of Russia, DPA reported.
The leader of the group, 47-year-old Orlin Rusev, who led the board of board on the east coast of England, was sentenced today to 10 years and eight months in prison.
He acknowledged his offenses along with his deputy Biser Dzambazov, 44, who was sentenced to 10 years and two months, and 33-year-old Ivan Stojanov, who received a five-year sentence.
Agents who acted as a seductive, 33-year-old Katrin Ivanova and 30-year-old Vanja Gaberova and 39-year-old swimmer Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, were found guilty in March for actions that police said they pose a risk to human life and national security.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard sentenced Ivanova to nine years and eight months in prison. Gaberova has been sentenced to six years, eight months.
Her ex -boyfriend Ivanchev, from Akon, west London, was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Judge Hilliard praised the police for their « extremely thorough and focused investigation ». He noted that the convicts were « motivated by money » and lived « very comfortable » with the significant amounts paid.
During court hearings, it became clear that the spies were led by alleged Russian agent Jan Marselek-a 44-year-old Austrian businessman seeking Interpol after a company bankrupt. Marselk acted as an intermediary between the Russian intelligence service and Rusev, DPA reported.
