By Laura Lavelle, Kevin Nguyen, and Liz Gwynn, ABC
Australian Federal Police arrested a 62-year-old man in Brisbane, charged with preparing for an espionage offence. Photo: Supplied / Australian Federal Police
Two Russian-born Australian citizens charged with spying offences "mostly kept to themselves", with neighbours surprised their unit complex is now the centre of a national espionage investigation.
Kira Korolev, 40, and her husband Igor, 62, have been accused of obtaining Australian Defence Force material to share with Russian authorities.
The couple faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
Neighbours say couple 'kept to themselves'
The pair were arrested at their home in the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park on Thursday.
It is unclear how long they have been under investigation, but the building manager of the complex they lived in confirmed authorities contacted him about three months ago, and he provided them the keys to access their unit.
"I've had a half a dozen interactions with [Kira] and then I may have seen [Igor] twice over the years," said Blake Fraser.
"As far as I'm concerned, they just kept to themselves."
It is a sentiment echoed by several others in the complex, including some of their closest neighbours.
"I have never seen those two people, ever, the whole entire time I've lived here," said neighbour, Nikki Spalding.
Tristen McKenzie, who lives in the same unit complex as the couple, said a police officer asked them to use the garage.
"Since then, we've just seen canines all around, sniffing around, and then up in the elevator, which we thought was a little bit weird," she said.
"I've seen a lot of people carrying around duffle bags and hanging out in the garage inspecting vehicles.
"It's unreal. Honestly, so strange. I didn't even think that that would be something that's going on, especially here."
Digital footprints show travels across Australia
Police will allege Kira Korolev - who is an ADF army private - undertook undeclared travel to Russia while on long-term leave, where she allegedly instructed her husband on how to log into her work account and access material to send to her.
The couple had been in Australia for more than a decade before the alleged offending.
Kira Korolev's digital footprints paint the picture of a well-travelled, curious, and physically active woman.
Her Russian-language lifestyle and travel videos documented her adventures across Australian cities and rural landscapes alike.
They showed her enjoying eateries in Melbourne and Tasmania; visiting the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra (somewhere she would later take her husband to); holding snakes and filming crocodiles outside Darwin; and exploring abandoned gold mines and tropic forests in northern Queensland.
Though she has lived in Australia for at least 15 years, Kira Korolev appeared to have still maintained roots with her Russian heritage and its community. On Facebook, she had joined dozens of groups for expatriates from Moscow.
Social media posts and property data also provided glimpses of the Korolevs' suburban life.
The hammer went down on their Everton Park apartment in June 2021, and according to a Google review left for a Brisbane real estate agent by Kira Korolev, it was the first time she ever owned property.
ASIO spy chief Mike Burgess (left) and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw. Photo: Supplied / Australian Federal Police
Suppression order issued for 'national security'
Igor Korolev appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody until his next appearance in September.
Counsel for the Australian Federal Police Dyan Kerr made an application for the suppression of five names related to the case, telling Magistrate Ross Mack that it was a "matter of national security".
Lana Millar, the lawyer representing Kira Korolev, told the court there was no application for bail and her matter was adjourned until 20 September.
The courtroom was closed to media for about 20 minutes when Igor Korolev was first taken into the dock. When journalists were allowed back in to the room, he stood quietly with no expression on his face.
An interpreter was on a phone link while his matter was heard. He made no application for bail, and the matter was adjourned to appear on the same day as Kira Korolev.
The court heard he is seeking legal representation.
- ABC
