In a dramatic court testimony, Katrin Ivanova refuted allegations of spying for Russia, claiming a lack of knowledge regarding her surveillance activities aimed at journalists and military targets.
Bulgarian Woman Accused of Espionage Denies Knowledge of Covert Activities
Bulgarian Woman Accused of Espionage Denies Knowledge of Covert Activities
Katrin Ivanova, accused of participating in a Russian spy ring in the UK, insists she was unaware her actions contributed to espionage efforts.
Katrin Ivanova, a 33-year-old Bulgarian residing in the UK, has firmly denied accusations aligned with espionage activities targeting Russia's perceived adversaries. She and her associates, Vanya Gaberova and Tihomir Ivanchev, face serious charges including conspiracy to spy. Ivanova contended that while her movements tracked individuals of interest, she believed her actions were part of a journalistic endeavor, aimed at exposing alleged corruption surrounding investigative journalist Christo Grozev.
Throughout the trial, Ivanova recounted her experiences traveling across Europe with the intention to monitor Grozev, asserting that her activities were misconstrued. "The plan was to try and expose Mr. Grozev," she articulated, suggesting there was no malicious intent. Despite the gravity of the situation, including threats of harm against Grozev, Ivanova maintained her innocence, evidencing her shock upon learning about the nefarious nature of the operations.
Ivanova admitted to initially participating in the operations at the behest of her longtime partner, Biser Dzhambazov, who she trusted implicitly. She expressed emotional turmoil when recounting how she found out Dzhambazov had been arrested in a compromising situation with Gaberova during police intervention in February 2023.
However, even amidst the turmoil, Ivanova asserted her disbelief in the claims posed against her, citing her ignorance of Dzhambazov's alleged double life that included his rendezvous with Gaberova. Ivanova's testimony paints a picture of a woman caught in the web of espionage, struggling to reconcile her involvement with the shocking revelations of her partner’s deceit and the implications for national security.
The trial is ongoing as jurors continue to sift through the complex details surrounding this high-profile espionage case.
