Russia has lashed out at Australia, accusing it of stirring “anti-Russian paranoia” after the arrest of a Russian-born couple on espionage charges. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shot back, telling Moscow to “back off.”
Kira and Igor Korolev, Australian citizens, are now at the center of a diplomatic storm. They were detained for allegedly attempting to access sensitive national security information. Although the Australian Federal Police confirmed that no significant security breach had occurred, the charges have sparked an international uproar.
⚡⚡⚡Two former #Russian citizens were detained in #Australia on charges of preparing for #Espionage – the husband and wife were allegedly planning to transfer secret #information to #Moscow
A married couple from Russia, Kira and Igor Korolev, were detained in Australia. They… pic.twitter.com/tUbqQfXJ3L
— News.Az (@news_az) July 12, 2024
“There is widespread information about the arrest in Brisbane of the spouses Kira and Igor Korolev, who have Russian and Australian citizenship, on charges of attempting to spy for Russia,” stated the Russian embassy in Canberra through Russia’s RIA state news agency. The embassy claimed that the arrests were meant to incite “anti-Russian paranoia” and divert attention from the ruling Labor Party’s policy failures.
Albanese, speaking to reporters, condemned Russia’s actions, insisting that Russia must stop interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations. “Russia can get the message, back off. Russia engages in espionage here and around the world,” Albanese declared in Brisbane. Australia, a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, recently pledged A$250 million ($170 million) in military aid to Kyiv during a NATO summit in Washington, further underscoring its stance against Russian aggression.
An Australian soldier, Kira Korolev, and her husband Igor Korolev, both originally from Russia but now Australian citizens, have been arrested and charged with espionage. This case marks the first use of Australia’s stringent foreign interference laws, introduced in 2018, to… pic.twitter.com/aZ3XIqRgCU
— Huginn and Muninn Intelligence (@HM_Int3lligence) July 12, 2024
The Korolevs appeared in Brisbane magistrate’s court on Friday, each charged with preparing for an espionage offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. These charges are the first under Australia’s espionage laws enacted in 2018.
The couple did not seek bail and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on September 20. According to police, the wife, a 40-year-old information systems technician in the Australian Army, allegedly traveled to Russia and instructed her husband to access defense materials from her official account.
World’s smartest Russian spy plot uncovered. Kira and Igor Korolev joined the Australian Defence Force after obtaining citizenship like 5 years ago. They logged into their official ADF accounts to try obtain information to sell to Russia pic.twitter.com/6ANKpmr4uE
— Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇺🇦🇹🇼 (@DrewPavlou) July 12, 2024
In response, the Russian embassy has demanded detailed information from Australian authorities regarding the couple’s situation and is considering consular assistance, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Canberra has been firm in its support for Ukraine, supplying defense equipment, banning aluminum ore exports to Russia, and sanctioning over 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.
Major Points
- Russia accused Australia of inciting “anti-Russian paranoia” following the espionage charges against Russian-born Australians Kira and Igor Korolev.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Russia to “back off,” condemning their interference in sovereign nations’ domestic affairs.
- The Korolevs were arrested for attempting to access national security materials, with no significant breach identified.
- Australia recently pledged a A$250 million military aid package to Ukraine, reinforcing its stance against Russia.
- The Korolevs, charged under 2018 espionage laws, are remanded in custody until September 20, with allegations involving accessing defense materials.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News