Australia: couple charged with attempted spying for Russia

Australian police announced Friday having indicted; a couple for attempted espionage, suspecting them of having attempted to disclose sensitive information à Moscow.

The 40-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband, both Australian nationals and holders of Russian passports, are charged with “preparing to commit an espionage crime”, said Reece Kershaw, more senior federal police officer, during a press conference.

In Australia, police prosecutors can charge suspects. This charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The couple, who lived in Australia for more than 10 years, were arrested on Thursday at their home in Brisbane (east).

The two suspects appeared separately and briefly on Friday in a city court, according to local media. Both were placed in detention pending a hearing on September 20, according to the same source.

Contacted by AFP, the Russian embassy in Canberra has not yet responded.

The woman, a soldier in the Australian army, had worked for several years as an “information systems technician” in the Australian armed forces, said the Federal Police Commissioner.

She made “undeclared” trips to Russia during long-term leave.

During a stay in Russia, she allegedly explained to her husband, a self-employed worker, how to log into his official account from their home.

“We allege that her husband accessed the requested documents and sent them to his wife in Russia,” Kershaw said.

– Member of the “Five Eyes” –

“We claim that they searched for this information with the “intent to provide them to the Russian authorities”. “The question of whether this information was transmitted remains a key element of our investigation,” he stressed.

< img alt = "Australian federal font" src = "https://img-4.linternaute.com/wbqaswcqceg61qaxwddruqujujujuja= 9.JPG " />Mike Burgess (l), Director General of Australian Intelligence and Reece Kershaw (d), Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, during a press conference on July 12, 2024 in Canberra © AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE – Handout

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Mr. Kershaw assured that no disclosure of material information had been identified at this time, although police clarified that the documents were related to national security.

Australia is a member of the “Five Eyes”, an intelligence alliance with the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, which shares sensitive information.

The official said the woman obtained Australian citizenship in 2016 and her husband obtained it in 2020.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had been briefed on the matter in detail. “Australia's security agencies are doing their job and doing it well. Those who interfere with our national interests will be held to account,” he said.

– Message to Russian agents –

Mike Burgess, Australia's top intelligence official, noted that security checks carried out when hiring security forces did not represent not a complete guarantee against espionage.

Journalists in Brisbane, where a woman and her husband, holders of Russian passports, appeared before a magistrate after being charged with “preparing an espionage offence”, on July 12, 2024 in Australia © AFP – PATRICK HAMILTON

“It all depends on what you say.” “If you qualify for a security clearance, you will get it. But that doesn't mean the security journey stops at that point,” he told reporters.

Mr. Burgess, director general of the Australian Intelligence Agency (ASIO), stressed that the authorities had been able to “intervene and control this operation”.

“This case reflects and demonstrates an effective safety culture, not a deficient culture,” he said.

He appealed to Russian spies to report to Australian authorities.

He recalled the defection in 1954 of Soviet spies Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov to Australia, which made it possible to reveal Russian intelligence devices at the international level.

“I would like to speak directly to the agents of the Russian intelligence services.” “This year marks the 70th anniversary of Petrov's defection. “If you would like to share your secrets, please do not hesitate to contact me. ASIO is always listening.”

According to Mr Burgess, Australia faces a significant threat of espionage from many countries.

“Foreign intelligence services are competent, determined and patient. They play a long-term game. The problem for them is that ASIO is doing the same,” Mr Burgess warned.

“If you engage in espionage in this country, we will detect you and we will deal with you.” “When we can prosecute, we will,” he warned.

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