The Sofia City Court (SCC) has ordered the indefinite custody of two Ukrainian ex-servicemen who were detained in Bulgaria and subsequently charged with espionage, according to reports from the court. The ruling, issued on Thursday, confirms that the decision is appealable to a higher judicial body. The SCC panel determined that there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the offenses of which the two men are accused.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, the court cited a risk that the individuals might abscond or commit further offenses if released. Should they be convicted, the men face potential sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years of imprisonment, or life imprisonment without commutation. The case proceedings were temporarily adjourned following a motion by the defense requesting 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, and Roman Zozulya, 32. Timofeev is a former lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) who managed an unmanned aircraft systems department before retiring due to injury.
Zozulya previously served in the AFU assault forces and retired after sustaining a head injury from a high-explosive shell. Currently, both men are residing in Guardamar del Segura, Alicante Province, Spain.
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