Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

S10 Ep31: Jan Marsalek’s Spy Ring and a Telegram Trail to Moscow with Manuel Bewarder

Feb 14, 2026

Manuel Bewarder, a German investigative journalist covering intelligence and security, unpacks the Jan Marsalek spy network and the UK trial that revealed it. He traces Telegram message trails, the Bulgaria-to-Moscow command chain, plans targeting journalists, military sites and sabotage, and what Marsalek’s Moscow presence suggests about Russian ties.

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INSIGHT

Manager In Moscow, Cell On The Ground

The Marsalek case showed a manager-in-Moscow directing a UK-based Bulgarian spy cell via Telegram.
Court reads of 200,000 chats exposed operational structure and client-style relationships with Russian services.

ANECDOTE

The 'Indiana Jones' Surveillance Lair

On arresting Orlin Roussev investigators found hundreds of devices and documents in what he called an "Indiana Jones garage."
Police recovered ~200 phones, 500 SIMs, 11 drones, 75 passports and many hidden-camera glasses.

ANECDOTE

Courtroom Drama Mixed With Espionage

Manuel described surreal courtroom scenes mixing petty personal drama with serious espionage charges.
One defendant sat beside his former partner and another woman involved, producing emotional moments during the trial.

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In this episode, Chris speaks with German investigative journalist Manuel Bewarder about the Jan Marsalek spy network and the landmark UK trial that exposed it. They unpack how the former Wirecard executive allegedly directed a Bulgarian spy ring from Moscow, targeting journalists, dissidents, and even U.S. military facilities in Germany. Drawing on thousands of Telegram messages revealed in court, Manuel explains how the network operated, how close it came to violence, and what the case reveals about modern Russian espionage—from freelance-style proxy networks to sabotage plots and battlefield intelligence collection. They also explore ongoing investigations in Austria and Germany, and what Marsalek’s continued presence in Russia tells us about his ties to the Kremlin.

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Find more about Manuel and his reporting on his website: https://manuelbewarder.com/

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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.