Three Bulgarian nationals found guilty of spying over part in ‘complex’ Russian operation on British soil

Three Bulgarians have been found guilty of participating in one of the “largest and most complex” Russian spy operations uncovered on UK soil.

Vanya Gaberova, 30, Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, and Katrin Ivanova, 33, have been found guilty at the Old Bailey.

The trip, dubbed “The Minions”, engaged in a series of surveillance and intelligence operations over three years, putting lives and national security at risk.

Instead of a cartoon evil mastermind Gru, the defendants acted as spies working for the Russian intelligence service, also known as GRU.

They were directed by alleged Russian agent Jan Marsalek, 44, an Austrian businessman wanted by Interpol after the collapse of German payment processing firm Wirecard.

Marsalek acted as a go-between for Russian intelligence and ringleader Orlin Roussev, 47, in Great Yarmouth who received more than 200,000 euros (over £165,600) to fund the spying activities.

He deployed the Minions with second-in-command Biser Dzhambazov, 43, who was in a love triangle with two of the team – his partner Ivanova and beautician Gaberova, jurors heard.

More to follow…