• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 -0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09684 0.21%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28575 -0.14%

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 26

Bulgarian Spy Ring Sentenced: Questions Linger Over Possible Unprosecuted Crimes and Future Threats

On March 7, 2025, six Bulgarian nationals living in the UK were convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 for espionage and the Identity Documents Act 2010 for possessing false identity documents. Following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, the Crown Prosecution Service secured sentencing on May 12. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC argued that lengthy sentences were justified for several defendants, stating that their actions had put lives at risk and compromised national security.  Ultimately, Orlin Roussev (47) received ten years and eight months, Biser Dzhambazov (44) ten years and two months, Ivan Stoyanov (33) five years and three weeks, Katrin Ivanova (33) nine years and eight months, Vanya Gaberova (30) six years and eight months, and Tihomir Ivanchev (39) eight years. While these sentences address their espionage activities, concerns remain over additional fraudulent schemes undertaken by the group. Central to their operations was their use of stolen identities to create companies and bank accounts designed to implicate victims in criminal activities and tarnish their reputations. During the investigation and subsequent raids in early 2023, law enforcement seized as stated in court documents “91 bank and other financial institution cards in 17 different names; 75 passport or identity documents, including those in 55 names other than those legitimately used”. The investigation revealed that the spy ring was allegedly organized at a higher level by fugitive Jan Marsalek who reportedly held a diplomatic passport from Uzbekistan. The spy ring was mercenary in nature, serving a private and public sector clientele to target individuals, organizations, and governments from the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan, the U.S., and Europe with a blend of espionage and fraudulent schemes. A recent report by The Telegraph reveals that Marsalek’s network of spies was far larger than this group of six, with a spy network extending to the UK, U.S., Germany, Austria, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Hong Kong, and Turkey. The Bulgarian spy ring’s activities can be traced back as far back as 2015, with Roussev reportedly in contact with Marsalek during this period. By 2016, Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova were seen participating in a Brexit-related event at the UK Parliament, part of their apparent effort to gain deeper access to information and influential networks. During the three-month-long trial, jurors examined messages and transactions dating back to 2019. While the case primarily focused on espionage, it is possible that broader charges, as well as those extending further back in time, were not fully addressed in court. The sentencing of the Bulgarian spy ring marks a significant step in addressing espionage activities in the UK, but it leaves critical questions unanswered about the full extent of their crimes. Beyond espionage, the group readily achieved identity theft, document forgery, and disinformation campaigns designed to frame individuals, manipulate public opinion, and exploit geopolitical tensions. Their calculated efforts to harm Bellingcat’s investigative journalist Christo Grozev and implicate innocent individuals in fraudulent schemes highlight the broader dangers posed by such operations. The use of front companies like Truth on the...

Mercenary Spies Unmasked: Guilty Verdict Exposes Global Disinformation and Sabotage Network

A spy cell in the UK, including five Bulgarian nationals, targeted multiple individuals and locations over nearly three years, according to court documents at The Old Bailey, officially known as the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. The court case, which has played out over fourteen weeks, tells the story of a rogue group of six individuals aiming to leverage statecraft, intelligence, and a willingness to be ruthless for monetary gain. The trial has revealed that the defendants worked under the direction of Jan Marsalek, an Austrian national described by prosecutors as a Russian agent involved in espionage activities. Two men have already pleaded guilty to their role in the spy ring, Orlin Roussev, 46, and Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, whilst the whereabouts of Marsalek remain unknown. According to the prosecution, the defendants stood accused of "monetizing a gap in the market," engaging in what was described as "high-level espionage with very high stakes." A money flowchart presented as evidence revealed that approximately €380,000 had been transferred between three of the suspects, further supporting the allegations. The case has offered a window into the dark world of commercialized clandestine services where criminal organizations offer espionage, psyops, misinformation, assassinations, and other illegal activities for a fee. As for the outcome of the trial against the remaining three defendants, Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanchev 39, following 32 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all three of being involved in a conspiracy, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, to commit an offence under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. Only Ivanchev was present in court, whilst Ivanova and Gaberova joined by video-link from HMP Bronzefield. Their crimes carry a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment. Court testimony, evidence documents as well as volumes of Telegram and WeChat messages, reviewed by The Times of Central Asia reveal a chilling account of the sinister services these dark mercenaries plotted, offered, and in some cases, partially executed. The Times of Central Asia is finalizing its review of court documents and conducting follow-ups with sources to provide a comprehensive analysis and perspective on this case. Please check back for further insights.

Kyrgyz Labor Migrants Confront Challenges in Europe

The Center for Employment of Kyrgyz Citizens Abroad has announced the launch of online registration for seasonal agricultural work in the United Kingdom. Alongside migration to Russia, Europe remains one of the most popular destinations for Kyrgyz workers. Tens of thousands of citizens seek employment in Europe, Turkey, and South Korea. However, despite the widely advertised benefits of working abroad, many migrants face significant challenges. According to the state portal migrant.kg, wages for seasonal agricultural work in the UK are set at £11.50 per hour, with a guaranteed minimum of 32 hours per week. Applicants must meet certain conditions, including being in satisfactory physical and psychological health and having at least a basic knowledge of Russian. The Kyrgyz government assures job seekers that employment under state-brokered contracts is free of charge and, most importantly, safe. Migrants are only required to cover the costs of their visa, insurance, and airfare. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor, Social Development, and Migration has previously signed agreements on labor migration with companies in the UK, Italy, and Slovakia, as well as with employers in South Korea. In addition to government initiatives, private agencies also facilitate job placements for Kyrgyz citizens abroad. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Rakhim Mirzyaev, a former labor migrant, about his experiences working in the European Union. “In general, Kyrgyz citizens are readily accepted in most EU countries. I worked in Poland for six months at a car parts factory, then moved to the Netherlands for agricultural work. Many people don’t realize it, but this type of labor can be brutal,” Mirzyaev told TCA. The cost of obtaining a visa, insurance, and airfare for his job in Poland totaled $750. “At the factory in Poland, we were paid hourly, only about $5 per hour. An inspector monitored our work every hour. Local regulations required us to meet specific production targets. If you failed to meet the quota, you were first fined, and then, if it continued, you could be fired,” he explained. According to Kyrgyz migrants, inflation has made it increasingly difficult to live and work in Europe. Rising food and housing costs leave little room for savings. Unlike international students, migrant workers receive no financial benefits or subsidies. Nutrition was another major challenge. Mirzyaev noted that adjusting to inexpensive European food was difficult for those accustomed to traditional Central Asian cuisine. “We mostly ate pasta because it was the cheapest option. If we spent money on better food, we wouldn’t be able to save anything to send home. I lost 20 kilograms in six months working at the factory in Poland,” he said. Many Kyrgyz migrants exchange job opportunities and experiences through online messaging groups. It was in one such group that Mirzyaev and a friend found an unofficial job opening in the Netherlands. However, without an official work permit, they faced even greater difficulties. “But in the Netherlands, we didn’t pass the probation period and were fired after three days. The job required us to work on a...

UK Supports €12.6M Deal to Boost Exports to Uzbekistan’s Copper Producer

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has guaranteed a €12.6 million ($13.25 million) loan to the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) in Uzbekistan. The loan will refinance the purchase of fully automated vehicles from the Scottish multinational company Weir and marks UKEF’s first agreement in Uzbekistan. The loan, provided by the International Bank, aims to support Weir’s exports to AMMC, one of Central Asia’s largest copper production facilities. “UK businesses are increasingly keen to bring their goods and services to this dynamic market - and UKEF is here to help buyers in Uzbekistan seize this opportunity,” said Tim Reid, CEO of UKEF. Strategic Importance of Copper The UK Department of Business and Trade reports that nearly 90% of UK imports from Uzbekistan consist of non-ferrous metals, metal ores, and slag. Copper, a vital material for construction and green technologies such as solar panels and electric vehicles, is in increasing demand. Global copper requirements are projected to grow by an additional one million tons annually until 2035. The UKEF-backed deal reflects the UK’s commitment to enhancing machinery exports and supporting the global supply chain. In 2023, total trade between the UK and Uzbekistan reached £381 million, with specialized machinery ranking as the fourth most-traded category. Sustaining Production at Almalyk UKEF’s financial backing is crucial for sustaining production at AMMC by ensuring access to capital from a trusted supplier. The partnership highlights UKEF’s broader role in facilitating growth opportunities for UK businesses in Central Asia’s dynamic market.

Kazakhstan, UK reaffirm commitment to strategic partnership

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — In a telephone conversation at the initiative of the British side, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov and the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom (FCO) Christopher Pincher confirmed mutual interest in further strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership between the two states and discussed plans to organize future high-level bilateral visits and events, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported on August 8. The Kazakh Foreign Minister congratulated the British politician on his recent appointment and highlighted his interest in further developing constructive relations with the new leadership of the FCO and the UK Government. Meetings of the Strategic Dialogue at the level of the foreign ministers and the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation are scheduled for this autumn. The Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2019 is also scheduled to take place in London this October. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, maximize the use of Kazakhstan’s transit and transport potential, and utilize the Astana International Financial Centre’s potential to expand partnerships in the financial and logistics sectors. The two politicians stressed the importance of strengthening cultural, humanitarian and educational cooperation, including through expanding opportunities for young Kazakhs to enroll in UK’s secondary and higher educational institutions, as well as enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ universities. The UK is among Kazakhstan’s ten largest trading partners. In 2018, mutual trade amounted to $1.2 billion. The UK is also one of the six largest investors in the Kazakh economy. Foreign direct investment inflow from the UK from 2005-2018 totaled $13 billion. More than 800 companies with UK participation are currently registered in Kazakhstan. The former Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Sir Alan Duncan and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Kazakhstan Baroness Emma Nicholson visited Kazakhstan earlier this year.

Uzbekistan foreign minister meets with British MPs, minister for investment

TASHKENT (TCA) — The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov, who arrived in London to attend the Global Conference for Media Freedom, met with a group of members of Parliament of the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan’s Jahon official information agency reported on July 11. Continue reading