Commonwealth DPP set to translate evidence against alleged Russian spies Kira and Igor Korolev

A former ADF member accused of spying on Australia for Russia is facing “significant” delays in the case against her, a court was told.

A woman accused of spying on Australia for Russia could look to apply for bail in the new year as the case against her continues to face significant delays, a court was told.

Alleged Russian spy Kira Korolev and her husband Igor were charged in July over allegations the couple were sending state secrets to Russia while Ms Korolev was working for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Igor and Kira Korolev allegedly spied on Australia for Russia. Picture: Supplied

Ms Korolev, who was employed with the ADF as an information systems technician for “several years”, was on leave from the ADF when she allegedly undertook non-declared travel to Russia.

During her trip to the country she was born in, she allegedly instructed her husband – who remained in Australia – to log into her work account from their Brisbane home.

The Commonwealth DPP will allege in court the couple worked together to access ADF material related to Australia’s national security interests.

They are each facing one count each of preparing for an espionage offence.

Their matters were briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, where Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutor Ellie McDonald said while some of the evidence had been disclosed already, a “significant volume” of evidence still needed to be translated before it can be provided to the defence.

The Russia-born woman worked as a private in the Australian Defence Force. Picture: Supplied

Ms McDonald said a “large portion of the material” allegedly found on a number of devices seized from the Korolev’s home was in “a foreign language”.

The court was told this material had been translated by computers but that translation needed to be verified by an official translator before the Commonwealth completed its full brief of evidence.

Ms McDonald said she expected the translations would be finalised by March.

Representing Ms Korelev, Sydney based barrister George Thomas said he held concerns about further delays in court as his client remains on remand.

“The delay is quite significant and my client is in custody,” Mr Thomas said, appearing by phone.

“It’s a difficult situation and I’m not in a position to make a bail application but it’s probably looking more on the cards if there’s going to be continued delay.”

The matter was adjourned to March 7, 2025 to allow the translation and full brief of evidence to be completed.

Igor Korolev allegedly used an ADF computer without permission. Picture: Supplied

Police allege in court documents Ms Korolev and Mr Korolev both allegedly unlawfully accessed, copied and disseminated information from those secure computer systems that concerned the national security of Australia.

The couple are also alleged to have maintained a relationship with members of affiliates of the Russian Federation Intelligence Services for purposes of providing the information Ms Korolev had illegally obtained from the Department of Defence, according to court documents.

The Commonwealth will allege in court Ms Korolev and Mr Korolev carried out these acts with the intention of preparing for or planning an offence providing the obtained national security information to the intelligence services of the government of the Russian Federation.

Originally published as Commonwealth DPP set to translate evidence against alleged Russian spies Kira and Igor Korolev