An Australian army private and her husband, both Australian citizens with Russian passports, have been charged with espionage under Australia's espionage laws enacted in 2018. The couple is set to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to face charges of preparing for an espionage offense.
The Australian Federal Police allege that the individuals collaborated to access Australian Defense Force material concerning national security interests with the intention of providing it to Russian authorities. The investigation is ongoing to determine if the information was indeed shared with Russia.
This case marks the first instance of suspected espionage operatives being charged under Australia's modernized espionage laws, which also prohibit covert foreign interference in domestic politics. In recent years, Australian security forces have previously disrupted alleged Russian spy activities, including the expulsion of a significant Russian spy ring comprising embassy and consular staff.
The suspects, a 42-year-old woman who is an Australian Defense Force information systems technician and her 62-year-old husband who is a self-employed laborer, were arrested at their Brisbane residence. The woman became an Australian citizen in 2016, and her husband followed suit in 2020.
According to police allegations, the woman clandestinely traveled to Russia in 2023 while on extended leave from the Australian military, while her husband accessed classified information from her work account in Brisbane and sent it to her in Russia.
If convicted, each suspect faces a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. However, if evidence is found that the information was shared with Russia, the charges could be upgraded, leading to potential maximum prison terms of 25 years or life upon conviction.
The Russian Embassy in Australia has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization has emphasized its commitment to supporting prosecutions against foreign spies, warning that such activities will not be tolerated.
