Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Court rules that group accused of spying for Russia remain in custody

Photo: BTA

After all-night hearings, the military court ruled that the 5 people detained on charges of espionage for the benefit of Russia remain in custody, BTA reports. One member of the group made a confession and was released on bail on the day he was detained.

Among those detained is former military officer Ivan Iliev whom the prosecutor’s office is charging as leader of the group, his wife, who has dual-citizenship and who is accused of serving as contact with the Russian embassy in Sofia and the deputy head of the Defence Ministry’s budget department colonel Petar Petrov. The court rulings are subject to appeal.

The reason why the court sat through the night was the fact that the lawyers for the defendants requested to get acquainted with the evidence collected by the prosecution. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny weather in most of Bulgaria on Thursday, with fog near rivers

Overnight it will be clear. The wind will die down in most areas. After midnight along the Danube River, in lowlands and near rivers fogs will form and visibility will be reduced with low clouds. Minimum temperatures will be between minus 3°C and 2°C,..

published on 11/27/24 7:25 PM

EU ambassadors reach agreement on Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen by land

The ambassadors of the EU Member States have reached a preliminary agreement on the draft decision to abolish checks at internal land borders for Bulgaria and Romania. This is planned to happen on January 1, 2025. The decision is expected to be finally..

published on 11/27/24 5:45 PM

Shopping malls vow to step up security after series of aggressive acts

Shopping malls in Sofia and across the country will increase the number of security guards where needed. Additional panic buttons are also to be put in place if retailers wish, the Bulgarian Retail Association said. Groups of suspicious persons will be..

published on 11/27/24 4:44 PM