Orlin Roussev, who led the spy ring, received a 10-year sentence. He was “motivated by the prospect of very significant financial reward,” the ruling stated.
Roussev’s closest associate, Biser Dzhambazov, was handed 10 years and 2 months in prison. The group, dubbed “Minions,” also included Dzhambazov’s partner Katrin Ivanova, his girlfriend Vanya Gaberova, and Gaberova’s ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev.
Another member, Ivan Stoyanov, received a sentence of five years.
The spy ring operated under the leadership of Jan Marsalek, the former director of German financial firm Wirecard, who used the alias Rupert Ticz. Marsalek fled to Russia after being charged with fraud in 2020. Authorities said he passed instructions to Roussev on behalf of Russian GRU and FSB officials.
The spy ring monitored investigative journalist and Bellingcat project leader Christo Grozev, Russian reporter Roman Dobrokhotov, and former member of Russia’s Investigative Committee Kirill Kachur.
The group also planned to track Ukrainian military personnel at a U.S. military base in Stuttgart, where, according to Marsalek, soldiers were training on Patriot air defense systems.