Australian soldier charged with spying for Russia

5 months ago 41

BBC Breaking NewsBBC

An Australian soldier and her husband have been arrested and each charged with spying for Russia.

Investigators say the couple - both Russian-born Australian citizens - obtained Australian Defence Force (ADF) material to share with Moscow.

However, the head of Australia's intelligence service says "no significant compromise" of Australian secrets has been identified.

It is the first time stricter foreign interference laws - introduced by Australia a decade ago - have been used to lay espionage charges.

The 40-year-old woman, an army private, and her 62-year-old husband will face court in Brisbane later on Friday, each on one count of preparing for an espionage offence.

Police and intelligence officials allege the women secretly travelled to Russia while on leave from the ADF and instructed her husband on how to access her work account and send material to her.

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