‘Back off’: Australian PM Anthony Albanese confronts Russia over espionage allegations – Times of India

Russia has accused Australia of inciting “anti-Russian paranoia” following the espionage charges against a Russian-born couple with Australian citizenship. In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Moscow to “back off” on Saturday.

The couple was arrested for attempting to access material related to Australia’s national security, though the Australian Federal Police stated on Friday that no significant compromise was found.

“There is widespread information about the arrest in Brisbane of Kira and Igor Korolev, who hold both Russian and Australian citizenship, on charges of attempting to spy for Russia,” the Russian embassy in Canberra stated in a Friday announcement to Russia’s RIA state news agency.

“The purpose of this campaign is obvious – to raise a new wave of anti-Russian paranoia here, distract Australians from the numerous failures of the policies of the ruling Labor Party,” the embassy stated.

In a press conference on Saturday, Albanese criticized Russia for its actions, both in Australia and globally.

“Russia can get the message, back off. Russia engages in espionage here and around the world,” Albanese said in Brisbane, according to a transcript.

Australia has been a significant non-Nato supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, recently announcing a A$250 million ($170 million) military aid package for Kyiv during a Nato summit in Washington.

The Russian embassy has requested written information from Australian authorities regarding the couple’s situation and is considering providing consular assistance, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comments.

Court documents show that the Korolevs appeared in Brisbane magistrate’s court on Friday. They were charged with preparing for an espionage offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. These charges are the first under laws introduced in 2018.

The couple did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on September 20, according to media reports.

The Australian Federal Police disclosed that the wife, 40, serves as an information systems technician in the Australian Army. She traveled to Russia and then instructed her husband, who remained in Australia, to log into her official account to access defense materials.

Australia has been actively supporting Ukraine by supplying defense equipment to Kyiv, banning aluminum ore exports to Russia, and sanctioning over 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.