An alleged spy has told jurors she was unaware that a man she had been tasked with following across Europe was a "good person" who had uncovered Russian links to the Salisbury poison attack. Bulgarian nationals Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, are accused of being part of a group that conducted surveillance on opponents of the Russian state between 30 August and 8 February Giving evidence in her defence, Ivanova claimed she had been misled by her partner, Biser Dzhambazov, 43, and Orlin Roussev, both of whom have pleaded guilty to spying for Russia.
During cross-examination on Monday, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC suggested Ivanova was a "good actress" who could "easily" lie to others. Ms Morgan questioned Ivanova's claim that she was kept in the dark by Dzhambazov and Roussev regarding their activities. Read more: Russian spying ring 'plotted to kidnap and assassinate journalist' in 'honeytrap' scheme.
Ms Morgan said: "This person you've been in a relationship with for 17 years, and this other person who paid the deposit on your house, who you considered to be a close friendβthey used you for the best part of three years?
One of the alleged targets was Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev, who had received recognition for his work uncovering Russian involvement in the Novichok attack in Salisbury, the court was told. Ms Morgan argued that Mr Grozev would have been of particular interest to Russia, asking: "What was it about Mr Grozev you didn't like? Ivanova claimed she had been told by Dzhambazov that Mr Grozev was "corrupt" and that their surveillance aimed to expose him as a "hypocrite. She told the court: "I was being told by Mr Dzhambazov Ms Morgan argued that Ivanova, described as an "intelligent" woman, would have known from basic research that Mr Grozev investigated Russian authorities.
It's a disgraceful event," Ms Morgan said. Ivanova denied this, claiming she only became more familiar with the Salisbury poison attack after her arrest. The prosecutor pressed on, asserting: "Mr Dzhambazov was not sending you as a lone female off to Vienna with no idea why she was there or what she was really doing there. Ms Morgan pointed out the high costs of the surveillance operation, suggesting Ivanova must have known Mr Grozev was "of interest to Russia" because "he was exposing Russia left, right and centre.
