Albanese tells Russia to 'back off' after its accusations of 'anti-Russian paranoia'

Russia accused Australia of inciting "anti-Russian paranoia" for charging a Russian-born couple with espionage, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on July 13 to tell Moscow to "back off".

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The married couple, who hold Australian citizenship, were arrested on charges of working to access material related to Australia's national security, although no significant compromise had been identified, the Australian Federal Police said on July 12.

"There is widespread information about the arrest in Brisbane of the spouses Kira and Igor Korolev, who have Russian and Australian citizenship, on charges of attempting to spy for Russia," the Russian Embassy in Canberra said in a statement to Russia's RIA state news agency on July 12.