Australia criticizes Russia over alleged spying meddling – DW – 07/13/2024

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that Russia should “stand back” after its embassy claimed that Couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Kremlin The sole purpose of this was to stir up “anti-Russian madness.”

The couple – a 40-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband, both of whom hold Russian passports as well as Australian citizenship – were arrested at their home on Thursday.

The two are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military relating to national security.

What was said?

Albanese responded to the Russian embassy’s criticism by saying the Kremlin had “no credibility” and had spies all over the world.

“Russia can understand the message: back off,” he said, calling on Moscow to “stop interfering in the internal affairs of other sovereign states.”

Albanese, whose country supports Ukraine in its war against The ongoing Russian invasion of its territory, He also criticized the Kremlin for its attacks on its neighbor.

“What if you got out of Ukraine and stopped the illegal and immoral war you are engaged in?” he said.

“This is a country that does not respect international law, and it must be treated with contempt, and that is what I hold for it,” he added.

The prime minister’s comments came after the Russian embassy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the arrests and media coverage were “aimed at unleashing another wave of anti-Russian paranoia in Australia“.”

“Theatrical tricks were used, such as talking to imaginary ‘Russian spies’ who were supposed to be everywhere,” the embassy said.

What are the espionage charges?

The woman, an Australian Army soldier, claims she visited Russia while on long-term leave in 2023 and told her husband, a labourer, how to access defence information on a computer.

The current charge against them is preparation for espionage, which could be upgraded to espionage if evidence is found indicating the transfer of sensitive information.

The couple remain in police custody after neither applied for bail at a hearing on Friday.

The two came to Australia around 2014 and became Australian citizens a few years later.

According to ABC, the Russian embassy has requested written information about the couple’s situation and is considering “appropriate measures for consular assistance.”

tj/wd (Reuters, AFP)