Bulgarian Ringleader of Russian Spy Ring Sentenced in UK
Orlin Roussev, 47, sentenced to over 10 years in prison for leading a Russian espionage network in the UK, jeopardizing national security.
Overview
Orlin Roussev, the ringleader of a Bulgarian spy ring in the UK, received a sentence of over 10 years for his role in espionage operations from 2020 to 2023. The network targeted journalists, diplomats, and military personnel, posing significant risks to national security. Five others involved in the operation, including Roussev's second-in-command, were also sentenced. The group's activities exemplified a rising trend of state-sponsored espionage outsourcing. Commanders from the Metropolitan Police emphasized the thorough investigation that led to these convictions, highlighting the serious implications of such spying for both the UK and its safety as a haven for persecuted individuals.
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Analysis
- A Bulgarian man, Orlin Roussev, who led a Russian spy ring in the UK, has been sentenced to over 10 years in prison for espionage activities that jeopardized public safety and national security.
- The spy ring was linked to various operations across multiple European countries, targeting journalists and Ukrainian troops, indicating a broader concern over state-sponsored espionage in the West.
- The investigation highlighted the threats posed by foreign espionage, urging a reevaluation of national security measures in response to increasing state-sponsored threats.
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ABC News·2M·FAQ
The ringleader was Orlin Roussev, a 47-year-old Bulgarian man.
Orlin Roussev was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to espionage charges and possessing false identity documents.
The spy ring targeted journalists, diplomats, and Ukrainian troops, and discussed kidnapping or killing Kremlin opponents. Their operations spanned the UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Montenegro between 2020 and 2023.
Six Bulgarian members, including Orlin Roussev and his second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, were sentenced to a total of over 50 years in prison.
UK Metropolitan Police commanders described the spy ring's activities as 'industrial-scale espionage on behalf of Russia' and emphasized the serious implications for UK national security and its status as a haven for persecuted individuals.
History
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