<div> <p>Chris speaks with intelligence historian and journalist Trevor Barnes about the Bulgarian spy ring trial at the Old Bailey, one of the most significant espionage cases in the UK since the Cold War. Barnes attended the proceedings and walks Chris through how a network of Bulgarian nationals, allegedly directed remotely by fugitive Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek from Moscow, was tasked with surveilling journalists and dissidents across Europe — including Bellingcat investigator Christo Grozev — in operations that prosecutors suggested could have enabled kidnapping or assassination. The case cracked open after a US intelligence tip-off, was jointly handled by MI5 and the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, and ultimately turned on roughly 200,000 encrypted Telegram messages. Barnes unpacks what the trial revealed about Russia's growing reliance on proxy networks and criminal cut-outs in place of traditional deep-cover officers, and what it signals for Western counter-intelligence in an era of mounting state-sponsored threats.</p><p>Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, global issues, and current affairs.</p><p>Read Trevor’s article about the trial: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trevorwbarnes_britain-russia-bulgarian-activity-7440003523754459136-Pscm">https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trevorwbarnes_britain-russia-bulgarian-activity-7440003523754459136-Pscm</a></p><p>Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorwbarnes/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorwbarnes/</a></p></div><h1><strong>Please share this episode using these links</strong></h1><div>Audio: <a href="https://pod.fo/e/3afd42">https://pod.fo/e/3afd42</a><br>YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/VWODfRZZA2o">https://youtu.be/VWODfRZZA2o<br></a><br></div><h1><strong>Support Secrets and Spies</strong></h1><div><p>Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies">https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies</a><br>Buy merchandise from our shop: <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996">https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996</a><br>Buy us a coffee: <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/secretsandspies">https://buymeacoffee.com/secretsandspies</a><br>Subscribe to our YouTube page: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg</a><br>For more information about the podcast, check out our website: <a href="https://secretsandspiespodcast.com">https://secretsandspiespodcast.com</a></p></div><h1><strong>Connect with us on social media</strong></h1><div> <p>Bluesky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social">https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/secretsandspies">https://instagram.com/secretsandspies</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/secretsandspies">https://facebook.com/secretsandspies</a><br>Spoutible: <a href="https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies">https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies</a></p><p>Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:<br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social">https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social</a><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net">https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net</a></p><p>Secrets and Spies is produced by Films &amp; Podcasts LTD: <a href="https://filmsandpodcasts.co.uk/">https://filmsandpodcasts.co.uk/</a><br>Music by Andrew R. Bird<br>Photo by Getty, Metropolitan Police/AP</p><p>Special Thank you to Mark Vaile</p><p>Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.</p></div>