Alleged Russian Spy Denies Role in 'Honeytrap' Targeting Journalist

Vanya Gaberova testifies she was misled and manipulated as part of a Russian espionage ring accused of surveilling investigative journalist Christo Grozev.

• Vanya Gaberova, a 30-year-old beautician, denies knowingly participating in a Russian spy operation that targeted journalist Christo Grozev.
• Prosecutors allege Gaberova was recruited to act as a 'honeytrap' to engineer a relationship with Grozev, who had exposed Russian involvement in the 2018 Salisbury novichok poisoning.
• Gaberova claims she believed she was working for Interpol and says she was manipulated by Biser Dzhambazov, her former lover and a co-defendant who has admitted to spying for Russia.
• Messages presented in court suggest plans by the spy ring's leaders, including Orlin Roussev, to exploit Gaberova in surveillance and potentially create compromising material involving Grozev.
• Two members of the alleged spy ring, Roussev and Dzhambazov, have pleaded guilty, while Gaberova and two others deny the charges; the trial at the Old Bailey continues.

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