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For the first time in our recent history, a spy group has been discovered, the prosecution announced. A former military intelligence official was arrested as the leader of a group divided by the prosecution and the State National Security Agency, said Siika Mileva, a spokesman for the chief prosecutor.
Large-scale action against the release of classified state information
What is the scheme?
The alleged leader has completed his education in Bulgaria and abroad, and is also a member of the GRU. He is a professor at the Military Intelligence Service. His task was to build an illegal network of agents. It recruited people who had access to NATO and EU secrets, the state prosecutor added.
The resident’s wife, who has Russian and Bulgarian citizenship, also participated in the group.
He has enjoyed the trust of Russian diplomats accredited to our country. He acted as an intermediary between the Resident and an employee of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, transmitting information and funds. The conversations between her and the resident, as well as her visits to the embassy, have been documented, “the prosecution said.
The other participants in the group were highly trained: military and senior government officials. Their role was to collect and provide classified unregulated information to residents of Bulgaria, NATO and the EU, and they had permission to access it.
The state prosecutor’s office released to the media recordings of conversations between the alleged leader of the group with his wife and other participants in the scheme. The prosecutor’s office also has video footage showing the woman entering and leaving the Russian embassy in Bulgaria. There are also records from bureaux de change showing how participants in the spy ring exchange currency.
The leader met with others in public, in his car, or at sporting events. The meetings were arranged in advance. There were also backup dates and locations. He gave instructions on how to store classified information on special cards, and the phones the group used were disguised as gifts.
To export information, the military even filmed their computer monitors, which went on for hours.
The VAP adds that the group has been active for a long time. “It has created a serious threat to the national security of our country,” Mileva said.
The pay
It became clear that detainees were paid for their illegal activities by hand, in envelopes. In one of the recorded conversations, the resident is heard saying that the helpers will receive 2000-3000 BGN. The amount of the remuneration depends on the importance of the exported information.
After the plan was revealed, one of the defendants tried to escape, but was quickly caught, near the Russian embassy in Sofia.
Who are the accused?
There are a total of six defendants in the case. All of them are in preventive detention.
One of the participants is a senior official from the Ministry of Defense. He took care of the planning and budgeting of the department.
The other is from military intelligence. It collected information on hybrid threats and risks, including from Russia.
The third participant is from military intelligence. He was sent on mission with contingents abroad.
The fourth is a former military intelligence officer. He was secretary, military attaché and defense attaché abroad. He is now the director of the classifieds registry in the National Assembly.
The prosecution’s comment
“The investigation is of particular importance for the security of Bulgaria, the EU, NATO and the United States. There is no other similar case after 1944. We have begun to forget to love the homeland, that we are Bulgarians, that we are defending our national interest and not selling it for pennies, “said Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev.
“We do not hate any foreign country, but we must and must defend Bulgaria,” he added.
Congratulations to colleagues working to protect the interests of Bulgaria! pic.twitter.com/YtdAKLPsRJ
– Ivan Geshev (@IvanGeshevPG) March 19, 2021
Before announcing the details of the case, Geshev made a comment on Twitter. He greeted all those who work to protect the interests of Bulgaria and shared a quote from General Ivan Kolev, which says: “Cavalry, God is my witness that I am grateful to Russia for liberating us. But what are the Cossacks looking for now in Our Dobrogea? We will defeat them and drive them away like any enemy that hinders the unification of Bulgaria! “
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