Australia files new espionage conspiracy charge in Russian spy case
Australian federal prosecutors have added a charge of 'conspiracy to commit espionage' against two Russian nationals arrested last year. The indictment alleges surveillance activity targeting military facilities. The case is deepening diplomatic tension between Canberra and Moscow.
At a federal court hearing in Brisbane on Monday, prosecutors brought an additional charge against a former Australian Army warrant officer arrested for espionage in 2025 and his alleged Russian-national wife. The indictment alleges the defendants gathered information about joint Australia-United States military facilities near Townsville.
A spokesperson for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Mike Burgess, called the case 'one of the most serious instances of foreign interference of the past decade.' The Russian embassy rejected the allegations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the matter would be raised at the ambassadorial level.
The Australian dollar was little moved by the news, trading near 0.634 US dollars. Three major Asian gold mining companies told investors they were starting to price in a higher country risk premium. The first substantive hearing is set to begin in mid-August.
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