New 'spy ring' details emerge as neighbours reveal 'agents gave them gifts'

1392     0
New 'spy ring' details emerge as neighbours reveal 'agents gave them gifts'
New 'spy ring' details emerge as neighbours reveal 'agents gave them gifts'

NEW details of a suspected UK spy ring have emerged - with neighbours claiming that Russian agents showered them with gifts.

Katrin Ivanova, 31, is understood to have moved to Harrow in north west London with Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, more than 10 years ago.

Katrin Ivanova lived with Bizer Dzhambazov in Harrow eiqkiqheidkprw
Katrin Ivanova lived with Bizer Dzhambazov in Harrow
She is understood to have moved to Harrow more than 10 years ago
She is understood to have moved to Harrow more than 10 years agoCredit: FACEBOOK/Biser Dzhambazov
The couple are said to have gifted cakes and pies to their neighbours
The couple are said to have gifted cakes and pies to their neighbours

But they were snatched by anti-terror cops in February after their cover was blown - and have been in custody ever since.

Neighbour Hari Krishna, 33, lived on the same floor as the suspected Russian spies.

He told The Sun: "They were very good at gelling into the block and always offered people gifts, including coffee, Bulgarian sweets and flowers.

Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three yearsSpectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years

"Even when my mum visited from India, they offered her presents.

"There were a lot of guests and lots of gatherings in the evenings at their flat.

"Sometimes I would catch them at the postbox and they would say ‘Good morning doctor’."

Hari also claimed that car enthusiast "Max" owned several motors, including a BMW and Chrysler.

Bulgarian nationals Ivanova and Dzhambazov have been charged with holding UK, Bulgarian, French, Italian, Spanish, Croatian, Slovenian, Greek and Czech passports with "improper intention".

They were arrested under the Official Secrets Act alongside fellow Bulgarian Orlin Roussev, 45.


Do you know more? Email Harry Goodwin: harry.goodwin@the-sun.co.uk


The trio are accused of posing as journalists with forged press cards and clothing branded with the logos of the Discovery and National Geographic channels.

The Times reports that they allegedly used the uniforms for for surveillance operations against targets in London, Germany and Montenegro.

A 31-year-old man from west London and a 29-year-old woman from north London have also been arrested.

Robbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival PrimeRobbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival Prime

Scotland Yard said: "On 8 February 2023, officers from the Met’s Specialist Operations arrested five people on suspicion of an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911."

Roussev allegedly ran a forgery operation from his room in a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

His profile on LinkedIn says that he ran a signals intelligence business and that he advised pro-Kremlin politician Petar Dimitrov.

Cops allegedly discovered forgery kit when they raided the guesthouse.

Orlin Roussev is the third suspected spy arrested and charged
Orlin Roussev is the third suspected spy arrested and charged
Ivanova has lived in the UK for a decade
Ivanova has lived in the UK for a decade

Mike Sullivan

Russia, London, Police, Crime, Vladimir Putin

Read more similar news:

01.01.2023, 11:39 • UK News
New Year's Day swimmers take chilly early morning dip to welcome 2023
01.01.2023, 11:57 • UK News
London, New York and Europe welcome New Year; plus pics from around the world
01.01.2023, 12:12 • Tech
Selfish drivers mount pavement outside family homes putting pedestrians at risk
01.01.2023, 12:29 • Crime
Crowds crash barriers at London NYE - while cops run over & huge rave busted
01.01.2023, 14:08 • Investigation
All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe
01.01.2023, 16:19 • Sport
I starred at the World Cup and almost beat France - now I'm homeless in London
01.01.2023, 18:22 • Sport
Potter's boys drop more points as Aurier's leveller makes it one win in eight
01.01.2023, 23:06 • UK News
NYE revellers turned away from London party boat after cock-up by organisers
02.01.2023, 09:21 • Money
I live on one of the UK’s ‘cheapest streets’... but it won’t last for long
02.01.2023, 13:59 • Sport
From World Champs to feeble also-rans... nose-diving Chelsea face crunch week