A Russian spy allegedly orchestrated a scheme to deploy a 'true sexy bitch' as part of a honeytrap plot aimed at discrediting award-winning journalist Christo Grozev, according to evidence presented at the Old Bailey court. The plan involved using London-based beautician Vanya Gaberova, who was intended to seduce Grozev, capturing salacious footage for blackmail and discrediting purposes.
The court heard how Jan Marsalek, identified as the ringleader of the operation, engaged in encrypted conversations with fellow spy Orlin Roussev. The messages detailed their strategies, showcasing their intent to ruin Grozev’s reputation by presenting him as someone who could be easily manipulated and seduced. Roussev described Gaberova as 'strongly independent' and noted Grozev had quickly taken to her social media presence, indicating potential weaknesses they could exploit.
Roussev communicated to Marsalek on September 28, 2021, highlighting how Grozev “seems hooked and in love with Vanya,” which indicated his growing infatuation with the beautician. Their strategy wasn’t limited to romance; they even brainstormed about more sinister methods like kidnapping or robbing Grozev and infiltrated Bellingcat, the investigative journalism organization Grozev is affiliated with. The discussions included even darker hints of violence, such as potential plans for Grozev’s assassination.
Gaberova’s mission took her to Valencia, Spain, where she spied on Grozev at the Palace Hotel during a journalism conference. She allegedly documented movements and interactions of Grozev and other journalists of interest, including providing Roussev with surveillance images to aid their espionage efforts.
Roussev and Marsalek's conversations reveal how they considered various tactics to build up to the honeytrap, each time weighing Grozev’s paranoia and the risk of exposure. They kept things slow to gain Grozev's trust, with Roussev saying, "We can move slowly to romance. We slowly push for a date.” Marsalek urged caution, expressing previous frustrations with similar operations, showing awareness of the deceptive nature of their intentions.
Even as they orchestrated this potentially harmful plot, the nature of their operation reflected the broader Russian strategy of conducting espionage against prominent figures who pose threats to the state. Grozev's investigative work had placed him at odds with Russian officials, especially due to his reporting on issues such as the Salisbury Novichok poisoning and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
The courtroom was filled with discussions about expectations and challenges the group faced. Gaberova's attractive description as 'very, very assertive' from Roussev revealed the mentality behind utilizing certain profiles for espionage. Their threads of communication often mixed personal attributes with tactical espionage strategies, reflecting their belief in physical allure as both bait and showcase.
While Roussev posited the effectiveness of Gaberova’s engagement with Grozev, he warned Marsalek not to underestimate their target’s intelligence and instincts. Discussions detailed how Gaberova had accepted Grozev’s Facebook request almost immediately, highlighting how spies leverage social media to establish connections before launching more malicious intents. Roussev seemed confident stating, “You need strong, assertive and independence-driven girls. Vanya is very, very assertive and strongly independent,” emphasizing the careful selection of operatives as part of spy craft.
The plot's collapse left Grozev under active surveillance but unscathed physically, allowing him to continue his important journalistic endeavors unimpeded. The alleged schemes comprised just one of the several operations targeting individuals believed to challenge or embarrass Russian interests. The trial continues as jurors sift through the specifics of the espionage efforts orchestrated by Roussev and Marsalek, highlighting the dangerous intersection of journalism, politics, and international intrigue.
More troubling than the detailed plots are the lengths to which Russian operatives go to silence dissenting voices. Gaberova and her co-defendants, alongside Roussev and Dzhambazov—who have pleaded guilty—face multiple charges for conspiracy and the betrayal of journalistic integrity.
