A Russian spy involved in a love triangle claimed he had cancer to cover up his ‘double life’ and an affair he was having with another spy, his partner has told a court.
Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, was found by police in bed with a beautician called Vanya Gaberova, 30, when they were arrested at a flat in Euston, North London in February 2023.
Mr Dzhambazov’s girlfriend Katrin Ivanova, 33, from Harrow, North London had rented and redecorated the flat her partner used to have the affair, in order for them to move into it, she told the Old Bailey.
She knew nothing about the affair until police told her after her arrest and had even bought the bed they were sleeping in, she added.
Dzhambazov accepts he was spying on behalf of the Russians but both women in the love triangle deny the charges.
Ms Ivanova told a jury that she had not questioned her partner when he asked her to go with him to film a US barracks in Stuttgart, Germany because she was ‘trying not to pressure him.’
Orlin Roussev, who allegedly ran the spy ring from a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, believed Patch Barracks was used for training Ukrainian troops to operate Patriot missile air defence batteries.
The prosecution say they pair were on a surveillance trip for Russian intelligence and planned to return with devices called IMSI grabbers, which would be able to identify the mobile phone numbers of Ukrainian recruits and target them on their return to Ukraine.
Bulgarian national Bizer Dzhambazov, 43, has admitted to spying in the UK on behalf of Russia
Mr Dzhambazov was found in bed with a beautician called Vanya Gaberova (pictured), at a flat in Euston, North London which was raided by police in February 2023
Mr Dzhambazov and Ms Gaberova had their illicit liaisons in the flat rented and redecorated by Mr Dzhambazov’s long-term partner Katrin Ivanova (pictured)
Wearing a black jacket and black t-shirt, Ivanova told the jury: ‘At the time I was being told by Bizer that we need to go to Stuttgart and make some pictures of the area around the base.
‘The base was very close to where my father was living and I was very excited because I would be able to go on a small city trip and see my father because he was living two hours away.’
She ‘didn’t have any thoughts’ about why he might be taking pictures and could see plenty of information about the base online, she said.
‘I couldn’t see how those pictures would help Orlin or any other person,’ she added.
Rupert Bowers KC, defending, asked if Dzahmabzov explained why Roussev wanted the images.
‘No, the usual answer is “for Orlin” and I’m trying to not pressure,’ Ms Ivanova said.
‘I was quite anxious when we arrived and he wanted to go to the base. The thought in my head were “what is all this about?” and when I was asking questions, I was being shouted down.’
Ms Ivanova said she wanted to ask ‘why, how, what is all this about, why are you involving yourself?’
A visibly annoyed Mr Dzhambazov, carrying two energy drinks, responds: ‘Why is it necessary to comment continuously on such things?’ after his partner Katrin Ivanova informs him they have been spotted outside a US barracks in Stuttgart, Germany
The spy ring is alleged to have been masterminded by Orlin Roussev (pictured) from his guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
The Haydee Hotel guest house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, allegedly used by Orlin Roussev to plot the actions of the spy ring
Referring to a video she had taken outside the barracks, Ms Ivanova said ‘you see I was worried at that time.’
In the video, she can be heard saying in Bulgarian: ‘He was running they have seen us by now.’
A visibly annoyed Mr Dzhambazov, carrying two energy drinks, responds: ‘Why is it necessary to comment continuously on such things.’ To which Ms Ivanova replies: ‘Alright I am just telling you.’
She added: ‘Since 2021 Bizer told me that he had cancer or brain tumours and his health was deteriorating and since 2021 every single time he was going somewhere was for extra money to try and save money in case of something.
‘We were having multiple discussions about his health. As a normal couple living together for over 10 years you would expect information to be shared with each other, the progress of his health, but that kind of thing didn’t happen. About that he was very private and didn’t let his guard down
‘Every time I was trying to approach Bizer and ask about his health I was told I was pressuring him and needed to leave him alone and let him deal with his health in his way.
‘If I want to support him, I need to understand my way of supporting him is not to ask any questions.’
In messages to Dzhambazov when he was supposedly seeking medical attention in Bulgaria on October 22 2021, Ivanova told him: ‘You do know that you can count on me 100 per cent don’t you. I also want to be part of what the doctor told you.
The three involved in the love-triangle are among five Bulgarian nationals charged with spying for Russia at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. Court artist sketches from left to right: Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, Orlin Roussev, Ivan Stoyanov and Bizer Dzhambazov
In court a video was played showing Mr Dzhambazov outside a US barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, with girlfriend Katrin Ivanova, who informs him that they have been spotted by security
After Mr Dzhambazov responds in a surly way, Ms Ivanova, who denies being a Russian spy, can be heard saying: ‘Alright I am just telling you.’
‘I know that you like managing the difficulties by yourself but that is why we are together as a family to support each other and to help each other.
‘I will be glad for us to speak when you are ready so that I may know what is happening with the man next to me. I love you and am waiting for you to call me’ adding kisses and love heart emojis.
Mr Bowers pointed out Dzhambazov was still ‘very much alive’ and Ivanova replied: ‘I believe it is a whole lie. Now I understand the situation differently.
‘I understand now he was having a double life and had a relationship not only with me but with my co-defendant Vanya Gaberova.’
Roussev and Dzhambazov have pleaded guilty to charges under the Official Secrets Act. Ivanova, Gaberova and Tihomir Ivanchev, deny the charges. All five are Bulgarian nationals with EU settled status. The trial continues.
