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Posted: 2024-07-11 23:04:34

In short:

Two Russian-born Australians have been charged with spying offences, the first time the new laws have been used.

The couple allegedly conspired to send sensitive Australian Defence Force material to Russian authorities.

What's next?

Police say further spying charges could be laid as Operation BURGAZADA continues.

Two Russian-born Australian citizens have been accused of obtaining Australian Defence Force material to share with Russian authorities.

Australian Federal Police arrested 40-year-old Kira Korolev, who is an ADF army private, and 62-year-old Igor Korolev at their home in the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park yesterday morning.

The married couple have been charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.

It is the first time an espionage offence has been laid since foreign interference laws were introduced in 2018. 

The pair are appearing before Brisbane Magistrates Court today, where police will allege the woman undertook undeclared travel to Russia while on long-term leave from the ADF, where she allegedly instructed her husband on how to log into her work account and access material to send to her.

A woman in a red shirt and sunglasses smiles in front of the sea.

Kira Korolev is accused of obtaining Australian Defence Force material to share with Russian authorities. (Facebook)

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