Two Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia released and deported.

Two Bulgarian nationals convicted in the United Kingdom for taking part in a Russian espionage network have been released early and deported to Bulgaria, according, Sega, and The Telegraph.

The two individuals are Ivan Stoyanov and Vanya Gaberova. According to the reports, they were deported after serving the mandatory half of their prison sentences under UK law.

The decision has sparked controversy after it emerged that some of the alleged surveillance targets, including investigative journalist Hristo Grozev, were not informed in advance of their release.

Stoyanov and Gaberova were among six Bulgarians convicted for their roles in what British authorities described as one of the largest Russian espionage operations uncovered in Europe in recent years. Prosecutors said the network operated on behalf of Russian intelligence and was directed by former Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek, who remains wanted.

According to the investigation, the group carried out surveillance operations across the United Kingdom and Europe targeting journalists, Russian dissidents, political figures and Ukrainian military personnel.

Thirty-three-year-old Ivan Stoyanov pleaded guilty to conspiracy to spy and was sentenced to five years and three weeks in prison.

Thirty-year-old Vanya Gaberova, a beautician from northwest London who became known in the UK after winning a beauty competition in 2019, received a sentence of six years, eight months and three weeks.

When the sentences were handed down, the court stated that the convicted foreign nationals could be deported from the United Kingdom after serving the mandatory portion of their prison terms.