Russia-Linked Spies in Westminster: Convicted Bulgarian Spies Seen with Parliament Members at Brexit Event
Sneaky Spies in the House of Commons
Three Russian spies, caught red-handed for espionage in the UK, gate-crashed an event deep within the hallowed halls of the Palace of Westminster. The undercover agents, Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzhambazov, and Katrin Ivanova, were among six spies convicted of spying for Putin, and they were observed hobnobbing with politicians at a Brexit debate event in a committee room back in May 2016[1][2].
A BBC News investigation uncovered photographs of these spies hidden among representatives of various European political parties within the Parliament[1]. Roussev, the ringleader, and his right-hand man Dzhambazov were spotted sitting quietly at the back of the meeting, while Ivanova could be seen milling about in the background of some photos[1].
The six spies are awaiting sentencing this week, facing significant jail terms for their covert activities[1]. This spy ring received direct orders from Moscow and ran its operations from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance gear[1]. The agents spent nearly three years passing secrets to Russia, tailing opponents of the state, and even plotting "honeytrap" schemes to ensnare and potentially harm their targets[1].
Roussev and Dzhambazov pleaded guilty to charges under the Official Secrets Act in the UK, alongside another man, Ivan Stoyanov[1]. Ivanova was convicted alongside Tihomir Ivanchev and Vanya Gaberova following a lengthy trial at the Old Bailey[1]. The six spies' sophisticated activities spanned London, Vienna, Valencia, Montenegro, and Stuttgart, with Gaberova and Ivanchev intended for use in a series of "honeytrap" plots[1].
At the very least, £200,000 was sent by the group's Moscow-based handler,Jan Marsalek, to finance their operations over 80,000 messages exchanged with Roussev on Telegram[1]. An impressive cache of high-tech equipment, including hidden cameras, a mobile phone interception device, drones, mobile phones, and fake passports, was found at Roussev's guesthouse[1].
Roussev took inspiration from James Bond's quartermaster, referring to himself as "Q Branch" and constructing many of the spy gadgets himself, including a Coca-Cola bottle fitted with a hidden camera[1]. The spies targeted enemies of Putin's regime, including investigative journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov, Russian dissidents, and politicians[1].
Marsalek, the mastermind behind the spy ring, remains on the run despite being one of Interpol's most wanted individuals[1]. He is believed to have fled to Russia, having assumed the identity of an Orthodox priest[1]. While the spies face justice this week, Marsalek continues to elude authorities.
Curiously, the three spies were sitting behind former Bulgarian politician Georgi Pirinski during the Brexit event[1]. Yet it appears they managed to maintain a low profile, slipping through the cracks of Parliament's security measures, which require visitors to pass through airport-style searches[3]. A parliamentary spokesperson stated that they facilitate many visitors each week and have robust security processes in place[3].
- In the realm of general-news, a shocking revelation unfolds as three Russian spies,Orlin Roussev, Biser Dzhambazov, and Katrin Ivanova, were found engaging in sports of espionage, hidden within the halls of the Palace of Westminster.
- Beyond the borders of politics, it was discovered that these same spies were found mingling with politicians, specifically at a Brexit debate event in a committee room back in May 2016.
- As for the world of business and finance, the investigation uncovered that at least £200,000 was sent by the group's Moscow-based handler, Jan Marsalek, to finance their covert operations.
- In the sphere of crime-and-justice, these spies targeted enemies of Putin's regime, including investigative journalists, Russian dissidents, and politicians.
- Moving into the domain of technology, the agents were equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance gear, hidden cameras, drones, mobile phones, and fake passports, found at Roussev's guesthouse.
