Australian military officer and husband arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia

BBC reported the information.

According to the investigation, the couple, Australian citizens of Russian origin, obtained Australian Defense Force (ADF) materials to share with Moscow.

However, the Australian police say that "no significant compromise" of military secrets has been found.

Kira Koroleva, a 40-year-old army private, and her husband Igor Korolev, 62, appeared in court in Brisbane on Friday on one count of preparation to commit espionage, which carries a prison term of up to 15 years.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had been "briefed extensively" by the country's security services, but would not comment directly on the case as it is currently being considered by the courts.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the couple had been in Australia for more than a decade before the alleged offense and both became citizens several years ago.

Igor worked as a self-employed worker, and Kira was an information systems technician in the army, a position she had received a security clearance for, police say.

Kershaw alleged that she traveled to Russia secretly during her vacation and then instructed Igor to access her work account and send confidential material so that she could forward it to Russian authorities.

The federal police commissioner said that the investigation into whether any of the material was delivered to them was still ongoing, adding that charges could be raised.

The nature of the documents and how the authorities were informed of the alleged crimes is unknown. However, law enforcement officials emphasize that the current threat of espionage is real.

"Multiple countries are seeking to steal Australia's secrets. We cannot be naive, and we cannot be complacent. If you are spying in this country, we are looking for you. If you are being spied on in this country, we are looking out for you," added the Australia's spy agency boss Mike Burgess.

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