Two Australian citizens of Russian origin have been detained and charged with espionage for Russia in a “complex” law enforcement operation named BURGAZADA.
The accused is a 40-year-old woman, an Army Private in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and her husband, a 62-year-old self-employed laborer. Identified by media as Kira Korolev and Igor Korolev, they have resided in Australia for over ten years.
The couple was arrested on July 11, 2024, at their residence in Everton Park, Brisbane, according to a statement by the AFP. They face one count each of preparing for an espionage offense, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
“This is the first instance of an espionage charge in Australia since the introduction of new laws by the Commonwealth in 2018,” stated the AFP
The AFP alleges that the couple conspired to obtain sensitive information following the woman’s visit to Russia during her long-term leave from the ADF in 2023.
She allegedly instructed her husband, who stayed in Australia, to access her official work account and retrieve specific information, which he then sent to her private email.
“The woman’s ADF account credentials were repeatedly used to access sensitive ADF information intended for Russian authorities,” the AFP reported.
While the specific documents accessed were not disclosed, the AFP noted they pertained to Australian national security interests. An investigation is ongoing to determine if the information was transferred to Russia.
“Espionage is a grave crime, and amid global instability, state actors have intensified efforts to acquire information from Western democracies, including Australia,” said AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw.
“Espionage impacts Australia’s sovereignty, security, and way of life,” Kershaw added.
These arrests mark the third occasion individuals have been charged with espionage or foreign interference since these offenses were included in the Criminal Code Act 1995.
In April, a 55-year-old man from New South Wales was charged with supplying information on “Australian defense, economic, and national security arrangements” to two individuals linked to a foreign intelligence service suspected of conducting intelligence-gathering activities.
Then, in late February 2024, a 68-year-old Melbourne man received a prison sentence of two years and nine months for attempting to influence a Federal Parliamentarian on behalf of a foreign government.
Mike Burgess, the Director-General of Security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), emphasized that the threat of espionage is “real” and that “multiple countries are seeking to steal Australia’s secrets.”
Source: TheHackerNews
