VOA News | Friday, July12, 2024 
Australia charges Russian-born married couple with espionage

SYDNEY — Australia said Friday it had arrested a Russian-born married couple on espionage charges, alleging the woman who was an information systems technician in the Australian Army sought to access defense material and send it to Russian officials. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the couple, who hold Australian citizenship, worked to access material related to Australia’s national security though no significant compromise had been identified yet. “We allege they sought that information with the intention of providing it to Russian authorities,” AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said during a media briefing. “Whether that information was handed over remains a key focus of our investigation.” The AFP said the woman, 40, traveled to Russia and instructed her husband in Australia to log into her official account to access defense materials. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned anyone considering acting against Australia’s national security. “People will be held to account who interfere with our national interests and that’s precisely what these arrests represent,” Albanese told reporters. He declined to comment directly on the case saying it was before the court. Igor and Kira Korolev appeared in the magistrate’s court in Brisbane, court filings showed, after being charged with...Read more