Fundraiser for former Marion council employee Marina Sologub facing deportation over alleged Russia links removed

An online fundraiser that raised thousands of dollars for a Marion Council employee facing deportation after ASIO labelled her a “threat to national security” has been removed.

An online fundraiser set up to help a former Marion Council employee fight an order from the nation’s spy agency to leave Australia, after security concerns were raised about her links to Russia has been removed.

Almost $5000 was raised for Marina Sologub, an Irish citizen, who was working as a procurement officer at the council when the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) reportedly told the federal government to expel her because she “could pose a direct or indirect threat to national security”.

Ms Sologub, born in Kazakhstan, came to Australia on a state government-sponsored migrant visa in 2020.

A GoFundMe page started by an “Alexander S” was launched to raise money for Ms Sologub’s legal costs as she battles to stay in Australia, with $4544 of the $30,000 goal raised since March 4.

However, on Tuesday morning, the page appeared to have been pulled down, with the fundraiser no longer visible.

The fundraiser was set up by an “Alexander S”, with property records showing a Marina and Alexander Sologub live at a Royal Park address.

When The Advertiser knocked on the door, a young man appearing to be in his mid-to-late 20s said Ms Sologub was “definitely not around” and would not be commenting.

According to the GoFundMe page, Ms Sologub has been “falsely accused of being a Russian spy”.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Marina Sologub.

“ … what wonderful information from the local government organisation could she possibly pass to the Russian state?,” the page reads. “Information about rubbish collection?”

The page said “one anonymous tip was made to ASIO with no evidence” and that “ASIO raided the Sologub household in the early morning before the sun had even risen and they would stay within the house till long after it had set, taking almost every single electronic device in the house, making copies of every single document and interviewing Marina”.

“No crime has been committed and Marina is innocent and needs legal representation to fight to stay in Australia,” it read.

Marina Sologub’s employment history according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Marina is now unable to work, her family is struggling to meet the legal expenses to fight against deportation and dispute the ASIO report.”

The GoFundMe says she has a husband with a disability and a son, and her employment was their sole income.

“Thank you for always being kind in the short time we knew each other,” one donor commented on the page.

“I hope that somehow everything turns out okay.”

The Advertiser is not suggesting Ms Sologub was involved in any illegal activity or espionage, only that concerns about her were raised by ASIO.

A GoFundMe has been launched to cover legal costs for Marina Sologub, a space consultant and former Marion Council employee.

Ms Sologub’s LinkedIn profile says she worked with the SA branch of a British space industry recruitment company, Space Specialists, before joining Deloitte’s Adelaide office.

She spent seven months with Deloitte writing reports about lunar space missions before joining Marion Council in September, 2021, according to her profile.

In February, Marion Council acting chief executive confirmed Ms Sologub’s employment with the council had been terminated.

“After she advised (us) of her visa situation, her access to all council devices was logged out and the devices reset as per council procedure,” he said.

“The City of Marion has taken the appropriate steps to cease her contract.

“The City of Marion is currently analysing all information that has been accessed as per our policy and procedures.”