Defection, Spies and the Shadow of Georgi Markov

Listen on Apple Podcass Listen on Spotify Listen on YouTube Listen on Amazon Music Listen on Overcast Listen on Pocket Casts Listen on Podcast Addict Become a Patron!

In 1986, Oggy Boytchev made a split-second decision that would change his life forever. Sent to Egypt by a Bulgarian shipping company, he seized an unexpected opportunity to escape communist Bulgaria, boarding a flight to London and claiming political asylum at Heathrow.

In this 2nd episode with Oggy, he recounts details of his extraordinary escape to becoming a broadcaster with the BBC World Service. He describes the emotional impact of leaving his family behind, the pride his father felt hearing his son’s voice broadcasting back into Bulgaria, and the dramatic events that followed the collapse of communism.

Episode one is here ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode465/⁠

Oggy also takes us inside the Bulgarian section of the BBC, where the memory of murdered dissident Georgi Markov still lingered. He reveals stories of another mysterious death linked to the section, recalls interviewing KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky about Markov’s assassination, and reflects on later encounters with spies, intelligence chiefs and world leaders during a distinguished BBC career alongside John Simpson.

Oggy’s latest novel ‘The Istanbul Connection’ is a gripping, morally complex thriller that explores the blurred lines between ideology and manipulation

Check out Oggy’s books and support the podcast here ⁠https://amzn.to/4wyGHjT
Enter the book giveaway here ⁠⁠ https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway1/⁠⁠⁠
Curated episode extras ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode466/⁠

⁠

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues, and with a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to keep it alive. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank-you, and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link