Bulgarians Confess to Espionage for Fugitive Executive

Two Bulgarians have admitted to spying for Russia on behalf of Jan Marsalek, the former Wirecard executive now on the run. Between August 2020 and February 2023, they gathered intelligence on Kremlin opponents, a military base, and an embassy, using false identities and advanced technology. They received substantial payments for their activities. Authorities are now imposing sentences on the confessing individuals, while other accused parties deny the allegations.

The British intelligence service MI5 had been monitoring the group for some time. Three additional Bulgarians face charges at the Old Bailey court in London, maintaining their innocence. The espionage reportedly targeted prominent Russian government critics across multiple cities, including London, Stuttgart, and Vienna. Investigations by Bellingcat and The Insider played a role in uncovering the network's operations.

Among the accused is Orlin Roussev, who has confessed to orchestrating a Russian spy network for Marsalek. The network allegedly surveilled sensitive locations, such as the US military base Patch Barracks. The case highlights the complex international dimensions of espionage and the ongoing efforts to hold those involved accountable.