The arrest of Biser Dzhambazov, a Bulgarian man accused of spying for Russia, has captured headlines due to the dramatic circumstances surrounding his apprehension. Dzhambazov, 43, was found naked in a hotel room in Valencia when authorities burst in to take him into custody.
His involvement in espionage activities, alongside his turbulent personal relationships and deceitful history, has painted a picture of a man who led a double life.
His former partner, Vanya Gaberova, has denied any knowledge of his secret activities, but the revelations from the trial at the Old Bailey have raised serious questions about the extent of her awareness.
A Double Life of Lies and Deception
Biser Dzhambazov’s life was built on deception. Despite claiming to be an Interpol officer, he was, in fact, a spy working for Russia between 2020 and 2023. His former girlfriend, Vanya Gaberova, testified in court that she had never doubted his cover story, even though she later discovered he had lied about having brain cancer.
The couple lived a lavish lifestyle, staying in five-star hotels in Spain, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, and clubbing while on alleged “surveillance operations.”
Their relationship was marked by mistrust and betrayal. Gaberova’s suspicions about Dzhambazov’s false illness came to light when she tracked his movements using a keyring tracker, revealing that he had been at work as a medical courier rather than receiving treatment abroad. Despite this, she continued to believe in his supposed role as an Interpol agent, an assertion that prosecutors found difficult to accept.
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Dzhambazov was not alone in his espionage activities. He worked alongside Orlin Roussev, 46, both of whom later admitted to plotting to spy for Russia. However, Gaberova, Ivanchev, and Ivanova have all denied involvement.
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The trial has exposed the tangled web of relationships and deceptions that underpinned Dzhambazov’s operations, making it one of the most intriguing espionage cases in recent history.
The Arrest That Shocked Gaberova
On the night of his arrest, Dzhambazov was found naked in a Valencia hotel room, a stark contrast to the image of a highly skilled Interpol officer he had cultivated. When officers stormed Gaberova’s home in Euston, north London, to apprehend him, she was in utter shock.
“I was so scared, shocked. I asked him what had he done, why these people were there. I didn’t know what was going on,” she told the court. Her apparent disbelief in the accusations further complicated the case, as prosecutors questioned whether she was truly unaware of his espionage activities.
During cross-examination, Gaberova was asked why she had never doubted Dzhambazov’s identity as an Interpol agent despite his repeated lies. Her response was simple: “I never had any doubts in relation to that. Why should I have?” This statement only added to the mystery surrounding her involvement in his covert operations.
Text messages between Gaberova and Dzhambazov from early 2023 revealed the strain in their relationship. She had expressed concerns about his honesty and had even confronted him about his lies.
Yet, when he showed up at her salon, crying and pleading for forgiveness, she allowed him back into her life. Despite her claims that she had not forgiven him, she still let him stay at her home, further fueling speculation about her possible knowledge of his true activities.
A Love Triangle and Financial Betrayal
The case took another twist when it was revealed that Gaberova’s former partner, Tihomir Ivanchev, had played a significant financial role in her life. Ivanchev, a successful open water swimmer and hardworking painter-decorator in London, had reportedly taken out loans totaling £30,000 to help Gaberova set up her salon. He not only provided financial support but also physically worked on setting up the business.
In court, Ivanchev’s lawyer, Mozammel Hossain KC, argued that Gaberova had left him for Dzhambazov, a man who offered her a more glamorous lifestyle. “You left him for a criminal who lied to you.
You left him for a man who offered you a better life than your salon,” he said. The prosecution painted Gaberova as someone who was drawn to luxury, with her relationship with Dzhambazov providing access to expensive hotels, fine dining, and a lavish way of living.
This argument suggested that Gaberova may have turned a blind eye to Dzhambazov’s activities, choosing instead to enjoy the benefits of being with him.
When asked if she had manipulated Ivanchev into participating in Dzhambazov’s surveillance activities, she denied the allegations, claiming she had only relayed messages as requested. However, her deep emotional attachment to Dzhambazov was clear, raising questions about how much she truly knew.
The trial at the Old Bailey has left many unanswered questions. While Dzhambazov and Roussev have admitted their roles in spying for Russia, Gaberova’s involvement remains a point of contention.
The dramatic nature of Dzhambazov’s arrest, the complex web of relationships, and the high-stakes espionage allegations make this a case that continues to captivate the public. As the trial progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding further light on one of the most sensational spy scandals in recent memory.
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