Five alleged spies face trial in England. They are said to have collected information for Russia.

Five Bulgarian citizens have been charged in Britain with spying for Russia. They are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. One of the suspects, Vanya G., had a company where she sold false eyelashes and it was so successful that she even won awards, including in Russia. She is also said to have judged false eyelashes at beauty events as a jury member.

The group is accused of collecting “information that may be useful to an enemy” between August 2020 and February 2023, the BBC reports. They are said to have scouted targets in Britain and other European countries. Orlin R. is said to have led the spy cell.

During the searches, the police found several false passports and documents from England and Bulgaria. France, Italy and other countries found. The group is said to have produced the forgeries, some of which featured photographs of those arrested. An operation is said to have taken place in Montenegro, where a member of the group posed as a journalist.

The alleged mastermind of the group, Orlin R., is said to have arrived in Britain in 2009 and done business with Russia. On the business network LinkedIn, his profile indicates that he deals with surveillance devices, including eavesdropping options. He is said to have previously advised the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy.

Another suspect is said to have worked full-time as a driver in a hospital, and his alleged partner worked as a laboratory assistant in a company active in the healthcare sector. The two are also said to have run a charity organization for Bulgarian citizens.

The group had already been arrested in February; Initially only three people were investigated. The charges were later expanded.