Australian Couple Charged with Espionage for Russia
Australian police have charged a couple in Brisbane with attempting to spy for Moscow, alleging that they tried to reveal sensitive information to Russian authorities. The couple, a 40-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband, both Australian citizens with Russian passports, face charges of 'preparing to commit acts of espionage,' which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Senior Federal Police official Reece Kershaw revealed that the woman, an information systems technician in the Australian army, made secret trips to Russia. During these trips, she instructed her husband on how to access her official account from Australia, where he found national security documents. The husband allegedly sent these documents to his wife in Russia, with the intention of submitting them to Russian authorities. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the information was actually transferred.
National Security Concerns and Espionage Threat
The couple, who have lived in Australia for over a decade, were arrested at their home in Brisbane and are scheduled to appear in court in September. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating that the security services are working diligently to protect national interests. He warned that anyone attempting to compromise national security would be held accountable.
Mike Burgess, Director General of the Australian Intelligence Agency (ASIO), highlighted the broader espionage threat facing Australia. He urged Russian spies to come forward, referencing the historic defection of Soviet spies Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov in 1954. Burgess assured that ASIO is committed to detecting and dealing with espionage activities, stating, 'If you spy in this country, we will detect you and we will deal with you.'
The couple's arrest coincides with Australia's announcement of a military aid package worth 250 million Australian dollars to Ukraine during the NATO summit in Washington. This aid package is the largest provided by Australia since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
