Five accused Russian spies 'plotted possible kidnaps from seaside hotel'

26 September 2023 , 20:22

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Orlin Roussev, Bizer Dzhambazov. and Katrin Ivanova (Image: BBC/LINKEDIN/BISER)

Five Bulgarians charged with ­spying for Russia used a ­seaside hotel HQ to plot possible ­kidnaps, a court heard yesterday.

Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer ­Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, also 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, allegedly conspired to gather information which would be useful to an enemy. Prosecutor Kathryn Selby told ­Westminster magistrates court in Central London Roussev’s home at the Haydee Hotel in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was used as the “operating hub” for the group.

She said: “The purpose of the activity seems to have been to assist the Russian state in hostile acts against specific targets, including the potential abduction of some of these targets. Evidence reveals that they were part of a UK network.” The five appeared ­separately via video links from different prisons, speaking only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.

They are said to have carried out surveillance on human targets and locations between August 2020 and February 2023. Miss Selby told the court that false identity documents were found at their home addresses. The accused were arrested under the Official Secrets Act in raids on homes at London and Great Yarmouth by Met Police counter-terrorism detectives in February.

Vanya Gaberova (Vanya Gaberova / east2west News)

Roussev is alleged to have led the cell’s spying operations from the UK. It is claimed he received orders from abroad by a person known as Jan Marsalek, who has not been arrested in the case. Roussev, Ivanova and Dzhambazov, both of Harrow, North West London, have been charged with possessing false identity documents with improper intention.

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Miss Selby told the court these charges could be linked with the others at a later court date. She said: “Given this is a national security breach, it should be dealt with in a court with terrorism protocol.” No pleas were entered and no ­applications for bail made by any of the accused. The case was sent to the Old Bailey on October 13.

Tom Pettifor