A Sydney businessman accused of compiling experiences for members of a foreign intelligence service is because of seem in court docket.
Alexander Csergo, 55, was arrested on Friday at a house in Bondi in Sydney’s east.
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He operates a enterprise abroad the place he normally lives and solely lately returned to Australia, the Australian Federal Police stated.
The AFP is alleging a person who presupposed to be from a suppose tank approached Csergo over social media and arranged for him to satisfy with representatives.
Csergo then allegedly met on plenty of events with two people referred to as “Ken” and “Evelyn”, who truly work for a overseas intelligence service and have been accumulating intelligence.
The AFP says the pair provided the 55-year-old cash to acquire info on Australian defence, financial and nationwide safety preparations, along with issues referring to different international locations.
He is accused of compiling plenty of experiences and being paid for doing so.
Csergo was charged with one depend of reckless overseas interference and can face Parramatta Native Courtroom on Saturday.
If discovered responsible he faces a most penalty of 15 years behind bars.
The AFP believes “Ken” and “Evelyn” might have additionally approached different Australian residents or residents and is urging them to come back ahead.
Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett thanked people who supplied info to the nationwide safety hotline.
“We all know making these calls may be daunting, however I guarantee you that we by no means take as a right the assist we obtain from the general public,” Ms Barrett stated in an announcement launched on Friday.
The assistant commissioner added that she wished to underscore that the drive targets criminality, not international locations or ethnicities.
“Espionage and overseas interference pose a severe menace to Australia’s sovereignty, safety and integrity of our nationwide establishments,” she stated.
The Australian nationwide is the second particular person charged by the Counter International Interference Taskforce since new legal guidelines got here into impact in 2018.
