Accused Russian spies may apply for bail as case held up by translations
By Savannah Meacham
A married couple accused of spying on Australia for Russia will remain behind bars after prosecutors asked for more time to translate information on electronic devices.
However, the defence for one of the accused said the lengthy adjournment may spark a bail application.
Kira Korolev, a 40-year-old Russian-born Australian Army private, and 62-year-old Igor Korolev, a self-employed labourer, were arrested in Brisbane in July.
Igor (left) and Kira Korolev are charged with preparing to carry out an act of espionage.
Police allege Ms Korolev travelled to Russia without declaring it to authorities while on long-term leave from the defence force in 2023 and coached her husband to access her official work account.
She is accused of guiding her husband on how to access specific information and send it to her private email account while in Russia.
The Korolevs were charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence and held in custody on remand.
The couple’s case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, with prosecutor Ellie McDonald asking for an adjournment until March 7 due to the size of evidence.
The Korolevs did not appear in court or via videolink.
McDonald said the first brief of evidence was disclosed this week which contained a large amount of material found on several devices in a foreign language and was being translated.
Ms Korolev’s barrister George Thomas, appearing on behalf of solicitor Robert Miles, accepted that more time was needed for translations.
However, he raised concerns that delays were leading to a significant period on remand given Ms Korolev had been in custody since July and the next mention would be in March, eight months later.
Thomas indicated the delay may lead to a bail application.
“The delay is quite significant,” he told the court via phone call.
“It’s a difficult situation and I’m not in a position to make a bail application today but that is probably looking more on the cards if there’s going to be continuing delays.”
Magistrate Andrew Moloney agreed with Thomas that the only way to remedy the lengthy time in custody would be with a bail application.
The magistrate adjourned the matter until March 7 with the Korolevs to remain in custody.
The couple have yet to enter pleas.
Preparation for espionage offences carries a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars.
The Korolevs have been in Australia for about 10 years and were married when they arrived.
AAP