UK-based Bulgarian spy ring targeting Kremlin critics convicted

A UK-based ring led by Orlin Roussev carried out surveillance operations for Russian intelligence between 2020 and 2023, tracking investigative journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov and others across Europe. Prosecutors showed the group discussed kidnapping Dobrokhotov and another target and a 'honeytrap' against Grozev; no attack was carried out.

Established by. Six Bulgarian nationals were convicted at the Old Bailey of spying offences (guilty pleas and 2025 jury verdicts); the CPS stated they acted on instructions relayed from Russian intelligence services via fugitive Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek.

Latest. On 12 May 2025 the six were sentenced to terms ranging from about 5 to 10 years 8 months; Marsalek remains at large.