UK deports two Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia | Ukraine news - EUROPE SAYS
Two Bulgarians have been returned to Bulgaria after serving half their sentences in the UK. Their future legal status now raises fresh questions for Bulgarian authorities. After serving half of their sentence,. . .
Two Bulgarians have been returned to Bulgaria after serving half their sentences in the UK. Their future legal status now raises fresh questions for Bulgarian authorities. After serving half of their sentence, the British authorities deported to Bulgaria two Bulgarian citizens convicted of spying for Russia. According to Novinite, Ivan Stoyanov and Vanya Gaberova were among six Bulgarians convicted last year for participating in one of the largest Russian espionage operations uncovered in the United Kingdom in recent years. It is not yet clear what their legal status will be after deportation. Timeline of events and contextAccording to law enforcement, the spy network was led by former Wirecard chief Jan Marsalek, who is accused of cooperating with Russian intelligence. The group carried out operations across the United Kingdom and Europe, monitoring journalists, Russian dissidents, politicians, and Ukrainian military personnel. The 33-year-old Stoyanov admitted to conspiring to commit espionage and was sentenced to five years and three weeks in prison. The 30-year-old Gaberova, a cosmetologist by profession, was sentenced to six years, eight months and three weeks in prison. According to the court’s decision, both were to be deported after serving half of their prison terms. As reported, a London court in May 2025 sentenced six Bulgarian citizens for spying for Russia to actual prison terms. The final deportation marks the end of one stage of the criminal process; however, the question of these individuals’ future legal status in Bulgaria will remain the subject of further action by the relevant authorities. Tags:bulgariabulgarian spiesJan Marsaleklegal status bulgariaNewsrussian espionageuk deportationuk deportation bulgarian spies russian espionage jan marsalek legal status bulgariaБългарияновини