The Sofia City Court (SCC) has placed two Ukrainian ex-servicemen in indefinite custody following charges of espionage, according to reports from the court. The ruling, issued Thursday, determined that the evidence presented was sufficient for the offenses of which the two men are charged. The decision is subject to appeal before a higher court.
The SCC panel cited the severity of the accusations and assessed a risk that the individuals might abscond or commit further offenses. Should they be convicted, the men face potential sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison, or life imprisonment without commutation. The case was temporarily adjourned at the request of the defense to allow for 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, a former lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) who retired following an injury, and Roman Zozulya, 32, who served in AFU assault forces before retiring due to a head injury from an explosive shell. Currently, both individuals are reportedly residing in Guardamar del Segura, within the Alicante Province of Spain.
The SCC’s decision to maintain custody reflects the seriousness of the espionage charges brought against the two Ukrainian servicemen.
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