Accused Russian spy, and former Marion Council worker, Marina Sologub protests innocence: ‘I know nothing’

An Irish citizen working for an Adelaide council as a space-industry consultant has denied being a Russian spy, despite admitting to working with the country’s top engineers.

An Irish citizen working for an Adelaide council as a space-industry consultant has denied being a Russian spy, despite admitting to working with the country’s top engineers.

Former Marion Council procurement adviser Marina Sologub, 39, is being held in a Melbourne detention centre after the Australian Intelligence and Security Organisation raised concerns about her Russian links.

After dawn raids on her Royal Park home, in the western suburbs, earlier this year, intelligence authorities accused the Kazakhstan-born mother-of-one, who is an ethnic Russian, of being a spy.

No charges have been laid while an online fundraiser to fight an order from the nation’s spy agency has been deleted after more than $4500 of a $30,000 goal was raised.

She will fight deportation at a tribunal hearing in July.

Marina Sologub, space consultant and Marion Council employee, has been deemed a national threat to security and had her visa cancelled.

Breaking her silence from her detention centre, Ms Sologub denied being involved in any foreign intelligence or espionage.

She admitted working with Russian citizens at Ireland’s National Space Centre, Elfordstown Earthstation, near Cork, in the country’s south, but denied any links with the Kremlin.

“Of course I am innocent,” she told 7News.

“I have nothing to hide. The whole situation is very devastating, for me, for family – it’s breaking us apart.

“If I was a Russian Spy the Australian government for sure will never invite me.

“(The) truth always comes out, it doesn’t matter what happens.”

Her devastated husband, Alexander, also told 7News of his devastation at her plight.

He said they first learned of the spy allegations on February 23 following the “massive” raid involving ASIO officers, Border Force authorities as well as police.

“(They) smash the door, no knock it smashed,” he said.

“I don’t know with how many army, police, border force.” Authorities, he said, seized all electronic devices and documents within their home were copied.

He said she was separated from him and their son, while being interrogated and then ordered into detention.

He said there was “nothing” to prove she was a spy.

She denies being a spy Marina Sologub, space consultant and Marion Council employee, has been deemed a national threat to security and had her visa cancelled.

“We’re normal people,” he said. ASIO has since cancelled her “distinguished talent” visa, which allows permanent residency for people “who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field”.

ASIO told the federal government to expel because she “could pose a direct or indirect threat to national security”.

Despite her pleas to be freed on bail, only Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil can approve her release. Her lawyers told 7News her case is difficult to fight.

Ms Sologub, who wrote lunar space mission reports for Deloitte, arrived in Adelaide on a state government-sponsored migrant visa in 2020. Her employment was the family’s sole income.

She has sought Irish diplomatic help. The Advertiser is not suggesting any illegal activity, only that ASIO had raised concerns.

Originally published as Accused Russian spy, and former Marion Council worker, Marina Sologub protests innocence: ‘I know nothing’