Anthony Albanese warns Russia to ‘back off’ after Brisbane couple charged with espionage

Anthony Albanese has warned Russia to stop interfering with sovereign nations after a Brisbane couple were arrested and charged with espionage offences.

Two Russian-born Australian citizens accused of obtaining Australian Defence Force material to share with Russian authorities will face Brisbane Magistrates Court today after being charged with an espionage-related offence. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Anthony Albanese has sent a firm message to Russia after a Brisbane couple were arrested and charged with attempting to send classified defence intelligence to the Kremlin.

Igor and Kira Korolev, who lived in Everton Park, were arrested as part of a complex investigation involving the Australian Federal Police and ASIO and charged with espionage offences.

Igor and Kira Korolev are accused of being Russian spies.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars.

The AFP have alleged Kira, a 40-year-old information systems technician with the ADF, secretly travelled to Russia while on long-term leave from the army and had told her labourer husband, 62, how to log on to her work account in order to access information.

He is then alleged to have passed that information to her while she was in Russia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned Russia to “back off” after a Russia-born Brisbane couple were charged with espionage. Picture: Liam Kidston

Anthony Albanese told Russia to “back off” and to stop interfering with sovereign nations, including Ukraine.

“Russia can get the message, back off,” he said.

“How about you get out of Ukraine and stop the illegal and immoral war that you’re engaged in?”

“And how about stop interfering in the domestic affairs of other sovereign nations?

“This is a country that has no respect for international law, and they should be regarded with contempt.”

Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Picture: AFP

The Prime Minister denied any issues with the defence forces recruitment process, saying the espionage charges proved Australia’s intelligence agencies were working effectively.

“That proves from my perspective that the authorities are doing their job,” he said.

“I have every faith in our national security agencies like I have every faith in our Australian Defence Force relationship.

“Our five eyes partners are very confident and we work very closely with them.

“The threats to us are nimble.”