UK-Based Spy Ring Convicted of Espionage for Russia

A Bulgarian-led network carried out surveillance on Russian dissidents, journalists, and military targets under the direction of fugitive spymaster Jan Marsalek.

Five Bulgarian nationals were found guilty of espionage in a sophisticated spy ring that operated in the UK and across Europe from 2020 to 2023.
The group targeted investigative journalists, political dissidents, and a US military base in Germany, using advanced surveillance equipment and covert techniques.
Jan Marsalek, a fugitive linked to the Wirecard financial scandal, directed the network remotely from Russia, channeling funds and issuing instructions.
The spy ring's activities included attempts to gather sensitive information, infiltrate targets, and even plans involving kidnapping and murder.
Authorities seized an extensive array of spy tools, including hidden cameras, drones, and forged passports, in what police described as one of the UK's largest espionage investigations.