5 individuals suspected of spying for Russia are to be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, the Crown Prosecution Service has stated.
Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will likely be charged with conspiring to gather info meant to be helpful to an enemy, the CPS stated in an announcement.
The costs relate to alleged offences that occurred between 30 August 2020 and eight February 2023.
It’s understood that each one 5 are Bulgarian.
Nick Worth, head of the CPS Particular Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated: “The CPS has authorised a cost of conspiracy to conduct espionage in opposition to three males and two girls suspected of spying for Russia.
“Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova have been beforehand charged on 11 February 2023 with possession of false identification paperwork with improper intention below part 4 of the Id Paperwork Act 2010.
“The costs comply with an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
“Felony proceedings in opposition to the 5 people are lively and so they every have the suitable to a good trial.
“This can be very essential that there ought to be no reporting, commentary or sharing of data on-line which might in any means prejudice these proceedings.
“The perform of the CPS is to not determine whether or not an individual is responsible of a legal offence, however to make honest, unbiased and goal assessments about whether or not it’s acceptable to current costs for a legal court docket to contemplate.”
The 5 defendants are attributable to seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on 26 September.
Roussev is from Nice Yarmouth in Norfolk, Dzhambazov is from Harrow in northwest London, Ivanova is from Harrow, northwest London, Stoyanov, is from Greenford, west London, and Gaberova is from Churchway, northwest London.