Five arrested for spying and accused of breaking the Official Secrets Act

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of spying and breaking the Official Secrets Act, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Three of the five arrested back in February were then charged with possession of false identity documents with improper intention, under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010.

The five arrested include:

• A 45-year-old man, at an address in Norfolk
• A 42-year-old man, at an address in west London
• A 32-year-old woman, at an address in central London
• A 31-year-old man, at an address in west London
• A 29-year-old woman, at an address in north London

All five individuals were later released on police bail and are due to return in September 2023.

The Official Secrets Act criminalises espionage by prohibiting certain behaviour that is carried out with a purpose which is prejudicial to the safety of interests of the UK.

This includes obtaining or disclosing information which would be “useful to an enemy”, according to the GOV.UK website.

The three individuals charged include:

• Orlin Roussev, 45, of Princes Road, Great Yarmouth
• Biser Dzambazov, 42, of High Road, Harrow
• Katrin Ivanova, 31, of High Road, Harrow

All three are believed to be Bulgarian, Martin Brunt, Sky News’s crime correspondent, said.

Dzambazov and Ivanova are also reportedly in a relationship, Brunt said.

The Identity Documents Act, covers offences relating to the possession and manufacture of false identity documents, such as passports and driving licences.

The trio last appeared at the Old Bailey on 31 July and a date for another appearance is due to be set.

The investigation is being led by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command.