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Bulgarian woman based in UK denies spying for Russia Bulgarian woman based in UK denies spying for Russia
(33 minutes later)
Vanya Gaberova, Katrin Ivanova and Tihomir Ivanchev, all from London, deny a charge of conspiracy to spyVanya Gaberova, Katrin Ivanova and Tihomir Ivanchev, all from London, deny a charge of conspiracy to spy
A Bulgarian woman charged with being part of a Russian spy cell operating in the UK has denied knowing that information she gathered would be sent to Russia.A Bulgarian woman charged with being part of a Russian spy cell operating in the UK has denied knowing that information she gathered would be sent to Russia.
Katrin Ivanova, 33, is accused of spying for Russia in a series of elaborate operations in the UK and Europe.Katrin Ivanova, 33, is accused of spying for Russia in a series of elaborate operations in the UK and Europe.
She allegedly targeted a US military base in Germany and secretly filmed two investigative journalists regarded as enemies of the Russian state.She allegedly targeted a US military base in Germany and secretly filmed two investigative journalists regarded as enemies of the Russian state.
Jurors have heard there was a risk the journalists could be kidnaped or assassinated. Jurors have heard there was a risk the journalists could be kidnapped or assassinated.
Giving evidence for the first time, Ms Ivanova denied being a spy.Giving evidence for the first time, Ms Ivanova denied being a spy.
She accepted following people targeted by the operations, and travelling around Europe, but said she did not know the true purpose of the activity.She accepted following people targeted by the operations, and travelling around Europe, but said she did not know the true purpose of the activity.
She said she believed one operation targeting the investigative journalist Christo Grozev was itself a form of journalism and would reveal to the public that he was corrupt.She said she believed one operation targeting the investigative journalist Christo Grozev was itself a form of journalism and would reveal to the public that he was corrupt.
"The plan was to try and expose Mr Grozev," she said."The plan was to try and expose Mr Grozev," she said.
However, no information was ever published and "nothing actually happened", she said.However, no information was ever published and "nothing actually happened", she said.
She said her then-partner Biser Dzhambazov – whom she told the jury she had trusted with her life – asked her to take part in surveillance operations.She said her then-partner Biser Dzhambazov – whom she told the jury she had trusted with her life – asked her to take part in surveillance operations.
"He has been my partner for over 10 years. Why would he do something that's going to hurt me," she said."He has been my partner for over 10 years. Why would he do something that's going to hurt me," she said.
The operations were to help Dzhambazov's friend Orlin Roussev, who assisted the couple financially after they first moved to the UK in 2012, Ms Ivanova told the court.The operations were to help Dzhambazov's friend Orlin Roussev, who assisted the couple financially after they first moved to the UK in 2012, Ms Ivanova told the court.
The couple first met Roussev at East Croydon station in 2012, and went for dinner with him at a "posh" restaurant near the Thames, she said.The couple first met Roussev at East Croydon station in 2012, and went for dinner with him at a "posh" restaurant near the Thames, she said.
"I was very impressed with him," she said. "He was someone I always wanted to be. He was a typical hero immigrant story.""I was very impressed with him," she said. "He was someone I always wanted to be. He was a typical hero immigrant story."
Both Dzhambazov and Roussev have already admitted conspiracy to spy for Russia.Both Dzhambazov and Roussev have already admitted conspiracy to spy for Russia.
Ms Ivanova wiped away tears in the witness box as she described learning how her partner was arrested in bed with the other alleged female spy in this trial, Vanya Gaberova, 30.Ms Ivanova wiped away tears in the witness box as she described learning how her partner was arrested in bed with the other alleged female spy in this trial, Vanya Gaberova, 30.
Jurors have heard that Dzhambazov and Ms Gaberova were in bed together when the police arrived to arrest them in February 2023.Jurors have heard that Dzhambazov and Ms Gaberova were in bed together when the police arrived to arrest them in February 2023.
She said Dzhambazov told her he had a brain tumour and went abroad for treatment. She now believes that was a lie so he could live a "parallel life" with Ms Gaberova.She said Dzhambazov told her he had a brain tumour and went abroad for treatment. She now believes that was a lie so he could live a "parallel life" with Ms Gaberova.
The trial continues.The trial continues.