Alleged Russian spy living in Norfolk charged with breaches of official secrets law
He's also been charged with possession of false identity documents with improper intention
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
Investigations are continuing, after three Bulgarian nationals, including one living in Great Yarmouth, were arrested and charged in the UK by police investigating breaches of official secrets law.
45 year old Orlin Roussev, of Princes Road in Great Yarmouth, has been charged with possession of false identity documents with improper intention, along with Bizer Dzhambazov, 42, and Katrin Ivanova, 32.
The Metropolitan Police said five people had been arrested in February this year on suspicion of an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911.
The group are suspected of spying for Russia.
All five have been released on bail until September while the Official Secrets investigation continues.
Roussev of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Dzhambazov, of Harrow, north-west London and Ivanova of the same Harrow address will appear before the Old Bailey at a date to be fixed on charges which allege they were in possession of 34 identity documents, some of which were suspected to be false.
The trio were arrested by counter-terrorism detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
All three defendants last appeared at the Old Bailey on July 31. A hearing for Ivanova was held at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
They have yet to enter pleas to the charges and are remanded in custody.
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said: "The CPS has authorised charges against Orlin Roussev, Biser Maicimov Dzhambazov and Katrin Ivanova with possession of an identity document with improper intention, contrary to the Identity Documents Act.
"Criminal proceedings are active and they have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."