Russian couple accused of spying in Australia

A 40-year-old woman and her husband are accused of trying to obtain defense secrets for Russia's sake, according to Australian police. The spy-suspected couple risks up to 15 years in prison.

» Updated:

» Published:

Russian couple accused of spying in Australia
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/TT

Share this article

A 40-year-old woman and her husband are accused of trying to access defense secrets on behalf of Russia, according to Australian police. The spy-suspected couple risks up to 15 years in prison.

The spy-suspected woman had previously worked within Australia's defense forces. It was during a trip to Russia, which the defense forces were not aware of, that she and her 62-year-old husband tried to access classified information, reports The Guardian.

The woman is said to have instructed her husband, who remained in Australia, to log in to her work computer from their home in Brisbane and send classified information to her in Russia. Australian police claim that the couple intended to provide the information to Russian authorities.

The two suspects have dual citizenship and have lived in Australia for several years. According to Australian police, the couple was arrested at their home in Brisbane earlier in the week. Russia's ambassador criticizes the allegations and writes on the X platform that the arrest will lead to "another wave of anti-Russian paranoia in Australia".

Now, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is hitting back, saying that Russia "lacks credibility". He accuses Russia of engaging in espionage "both here and around the world."

Albanese also takes the opportunity to criticize Russia for the ongoing war in Ukraine and urges the Kremlin to "stop interfering in other sovereign nations' internal affairs".

This is a country that has no respect for international law and should be treated with contempt, which is what I have for them, he says.

The Russian couple is the first to be accused under Australia's new espionage laws.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

West Africans Deported from USA Arrive in Ghana

West Africans Deported from USA Arrive in Ghana

EU Parliament Backs Recognition of Palestine as Independent State

EU Parliament Backs Recognition of Palestine as Independent State

Norwegian Left Party Rødt Calls for Youth Leader's Resignation Over Video

Norwegian Left Party Rødt Calls for Youth Leader's Resignation Over Video

UK Ambassador Mandelson Fired Over Leaked Epstein Emails

UK Ambassador Mandelson Fired Over Leaked Epstein Emails

Immunity Removed for AfD Politician Maximilian Krah in Spy Scandal

Immunity Removed for AfD Politician Maximilian Krah in Spy Scandal

EU Court Rules Against Hungarian State Aid for Russian Nuclear Project

EU Court Rules Against Hungarian State Aid for Russian Nuclear Project

NATO Faces Risky Decisions After Russian Drones Enter Polish Airspace

NATO Faces Risky Decisions After Russian Drones Enter Polish Airspace

Bodies Found in Freezers in Finland After 30 Years

Bodies Found in Freezers in Finland After 30 Years

Finnish President Alexander Stubb Visits Kyiv for Talks with Zelenskyj

Finnish President Alexander Stubb Visits Kyiv for Talks with Zelenskyj

Charlie Kirk's Influence on Young Voters and His Legacy

Charlie Kirk's Influence on Young Voters and His Legacy

Russia Allegedly Targets Polish Military Base with Drones

Russia Allegedly Targets Polish Military Base with Drones

Fare Evasion Costs New York Transit Nearly 9 Billion Kronor in 2024

Fare Evasion Costs New York Transit Nearly 9 Billion Kronor in 2024

Trump May Use Charlie Kirk's Death to Push Political Agenda, Expert Says

Trump May Use Charlie Kirk's Death to Push Political Agenda, Expert Says

Judge in Bolsonaro Trial Cites Political Motivation

Judge in Bolsonaro Trial Cites Political Motivation

WHO Staff to Remain in Gaza City Despite Evacuation Orders

WHO Staff to Remain in Gaza City Despite Evacuation Orders

Tanker Truck Explosion in Mexico City Kills 3, Injures 70

Tanker Truck Explosion in Mexico City Kills 3, Injures 70

Police Search for Suspect in Charlie Kirk's Fatal Shooting

Police Search for Suspect in Charlie Kirk's Fatal Shooting

Sebastien Lecornu Sworn In as Protests Erupt Across France

Sebastien Lecornu Sworn In as Protests Erupt Across France

Netanyahu Urges Qatar to Expel or Prosecute Terrorists

Netanyahu Urges Qatar to Expel or Prosecute Terrorists

Charlie Kirk Shot Dead at Utah University Event

Charlie Kirk Shot Dead at Utah University Event