A Bulgarian woman living in Britain denies spying for Russia

A Bulgarian woman accused of being part of a Russian spy cell operating in Britain has denied knowing that the information she collected would be sent to Russia.

Catherine Ivanova, 33, is accused of spying for Russia in a series of sophisticated operations in the UK and Europe.

She is said to have targeted a US military base in Germany and secretly filmed two investigative journalists believed to be enemies of the Russian state.

Jurors heard there was a risk the journalists would be kidnapped or killed.

Giving evidence for the first time, Ivanova denied being a spy.

She admitted to following people targeted by the operations and traveling around Europe, but said she did not know the true purpose of the operation.

She said she thought an operation against investigative journalist Hristo Grozev was a form of journalism in itself and would reveal to the public that he was corrupt.

“The plan was to try to expose Mr. Grozev,” she said.

However, no information was ever released and “nothing really happened,” she said.

She said her partner at the time, Biser Dzhambazov – to whom she told the jury she had entrusted her life – asked her to take part in surveillance operations.

“He’s been my partner for over 10 years. Why would he do something to hurt me,” she said.

The operations were in aid of Jambazov’s friend Orlin Rusev, who had helped the couple financially since they first moved to Britain in 2012, Ms Ivanova told the court.

The couple first met Rusev at East Croydon train station in 2012. and went to dinner with him at a “fancy” 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 quintessential immigrant story hero.”

Both Dzhambazov and Rusev have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to spy for Russia.

Ms Ivanova wiped away tears in the witness stand as she told how her partner was arrested in bed with the other alleged spy in the trial, Vanya Gaberova, 30.

Jurors heard that Djambazov and Ms Gaberova were in bed together when police arrived to arrest them in February 2023.

She said that Dzhambazov told her that he had a brain tumor and went abroad for treatment. She now believes it was a lie so he could live a “parallel life” with Ms Gaberova.

The case continues.