Overview

• The six Bulgarian agents received sentences ranging from five to ten years and eight months, with ringleader Orlin R. given the longest term.
• Investigators uncovered nearly 80,000 messages between fugitive ex-Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek and Orlin R., revealing six planned espionage operations.
• The spy ring conducted surveillance in London, Stuttgart, Vienna, Valencia, and Montenegro, including targeting a U.S. military base in Germany.
• Raids on the operatives' hideouts seized 495 SIM cards, 221 phones, drones, listening devices, and counterfeit documents, highlighting the operation's sophistication.
• Court revelations included assassination and abduction plots against journalists critical of Russia, though these plans were not executed.