Suspected Russian proxies traveled to germany adn Switzerland shortly afterโ a Parisโข incident involving the defacement of the Holocaust Memorial, aโ court in Bulgariaโข heard this week. The four defendants โฃ- Antonโ Milushev, โคPetar Ivanov, and two others whoseโ names have not been widely released – are accused of espionage and working to advance Russian interests.
The case centers on activities in Paris in late April, where the Holocaust Memorial was vandalized with Stars of David and โคpro-Palestinian slogans. While the suspects intended to distribute pro-peace stickers during thierโ trip, they didโ not,โ according to Milushev’s testimony. The timing of the travel, preceding a โhigh-level Ukraine peace summit in โSwitzerland, and the alleged financial connections between the suspects raise concerns about potential coordinated disinformation efforts.
Ivanov admitted to funding the Paris trip for the other three individuals, characterizing it as a personal favor to a fellowโฃ suspect, Angelov, who subsequently reimbursed him. The group’s subsequent travel to Germany and Switzerland occurred between the paris incident and the Juneโข 15-16 Ukraine summit held at Bรผrgenstock, Switzerland. โBulgarian authorities are investigating whetherโข these trips wereโ connected to the Paris vandalism and broader attempts to influence public opinion orโ disrupt the peace conference.
