Two Russian-born Australian citizens accused of attempting to spy for Russia are set to face a fresh espionage-related charge.
On Monday the Brisbane Magistrates Court heard the brief of evidence was over one million pages already.
Married couple Kira and Igor Korolev were charged in 2024, accused of attempting to gather and send state secrets to Russia.
It is alleged Kira Korolev took long-term leave from the ADF, before taking part in “non-declared travel” to Russia. (Youtube)
According to the Australian Federal Police, Ms Korolev was an army private working as an Information Systems Technician at the time
Alleged Russian spy worked as assistant theatre director
It is alleged she took long-term leave from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), before taking part in “non-declared travel” to Russia.
While there, the AFP said she asked Mr Korolev to log into her work account and access ADF information and send it to her, with intention for it to be sent to Russian authorities.
The couple were each charged with one count of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a 15 year maximum sentence.
Today, the Brisbane Magistrates Court heard Crown prosecutors are planning to charge the couple with a further, more serious offence of conspiracy to commit espionage at their next court hearing.
The pair are expected to be hit with an additional charge of conspiracy to commit espionage. (Facebook)
Ms Korolev’s defence lawyer Alan Phillips told the court he had met with his client at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional facility three times over the past fortnight, working through a 1.3 million page brief of evidence.
He said the size and amount of redacted and suppressed material had made the process “very slow”.
Kira and Igor Korolev were remanded in custody and are expected to appear via videolink in late June.
