The United Kingdom has accused three Bulgarian nationals of spying for Russia following a major national security investigation.
Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, and Katrin Ivanova, 31, were arrested in February under suspicion they had violated the Official Secrets Act.
All three were then held in custody until a court appearance in July with the BBC reporting the accused - who had not entered a plea deal - will go on trial in January. Mr Dzhambazov and Ms Ivanova- who were described as a couple by former neighbours in the London borough of Harrow - moved to the UK about a decade ago.
Bulgarian state documents also reveal the pair worked for electoral commissions in London which help ex-pats vote in the country's elections from overseas.Both ran a community organisation which aimed to help Bulgarian nationals living in Britain, including by helping them adjust to the"culture and norms of British society." Picture: FacebookMr Roussev, however, has a history of business dealings in the country.
In a surprising twist, Mr Roussev also lists his alma mater as Queensland University of Technology, although there is no suggestion he was engaged in espionage or any criminal activity during that time.Counter-terrorism police in the UK have been vocal about the increasing amount of time they have spent fighting Russian espionage efforts.
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