Wirecard fugitive discussed weapons diamonds with Russian spy ring leader

LONDON - Wirecard fugitive Jan Marsalek and the leader of a British-based Russian spy ring discussed sourcing drones for Russias war in Ukraine, trading blood diamonds and providing mercenaries in Africa, according to messages shown to a London court.

Six Bulgarians who were part of a unit tasked by Marsalek to carry out surveillance on journalists, dissidents and Ukrainian soldiers being trained at a U.S. military base in Germany are facing up to 14 years in jail for spying for Russia.

Three of the group were convicted in March after a trial, while its leader Orlin Roussev, 47, and his deputy Biser Dzhambazov, 43, pleaded guilty last year.

Prosecutors say the unit did not work directly for Russian intelligence and were motivated mostly by money.

The Russian embassy in London has not commented, though the Kremlin has always rejected such spying allegations. Relations between the nations have plunged to post-Cold War lows since the start of the Ukraine war, with Britain accusing Russia of trying to cause mayhem in Europe.

Marsaleks lawyer previously declined to comment.

Marsalek and Roussev repeatedly referred to Russias GRU military intelligence and other security services, and discussed plans to supply drones to Russia and weapons to Cameroon, as well as speaking of their admiration for Elon Musk, in messages relied on by prosecutors.

Marsalek told Roussev that he had met with GRU guys and will be introduced to the drone-procurement guru to discuss requirements, and discussed obtaining and shipping drones from China.

In January 2023, Roussev told Marsalek about how his Chinese contacts wanted NATO/American weapons and gear captured in Ukraine in order to reverse engineer the technology.

The pair also talked about selling wheat to Cameroon, with Roussev saying that an order for weapons will also be on the table, as well as for