The Sofia City Court (SCC) has ordered the indefinite custody of two Ukrainian ex-servicemen detained in Bulgaria and formally charged with espionage, according to reports from the Court on Friday. The ruling, issued the previous day, is subject to appeal before a higher court. The SCC panel determined that sufficient evidence existed to support the charges brought against the two men.
Given the severity of the allegations, the court cited a risk that the individuals might abscond or commit further offenses if released. A conviction in this case carries potential sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without commutation. The proceedings were temporarily adjourned following a defense motion to conduct medical certification.
The two men were initially detained in Bulgaria near a military installation on January 12, 2026. They have been identified as Oleksiy Timofeev, 41, who was a lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and headed an unmanned aircraft systems department before retiring due to injury, and Roman Zozulya, 32. Zozulya previously served with the AFU assault forces before retiring after sustaining a high-explosive shell injury to his head.
Currently, both men are temporarily residing in Guardamar del Segura, Alicante Province, Spain.
Topics: #charged #court #two
