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AFP charges Australian man who allegedly sold information to foreign spies AFP charges Australian man who allegedly sold information to foreign spies
(about 16 hours later)
The 55-year-old was arrested in Sydney after allegedly sharing information with individuals who work for a foreign intelligence service Alexander Csergo, 55, will remain behind bars until Monday after appearing in court in Sydney
An Australian man has been charged with a foreign interference offence after allegedly sharing information with individuals who work for a foreign intelligence service. An Australian man charged with a foreign interference offence will remain behind bars until Monday after his case was adjourned in Sydney.
The 55-year-old man, who is an Australian national but normally lives overseas, was arrested at a residence in the Sydney suburb of Bondi on Friday, the Australian federal police said in a statement. He operates a business overseas and recently returned to the country, the AFP said. Alexander Csergo, a 55-year-old businessman who normally lives overseas, was arrested in the Sydney suburb of Bondi on Friday for allegedly sharing information with individuals who work for a foreign intelligence service, the Australian federal police said in a statement.
He is due to appear in court on Saturday on one count of reckless foreign interference, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars. Csergo appeared at Parramatta local court on Saturday morning via video link on one count of reckless foreign interference, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars. He will appear again on Monday when he will apply for bail.
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The AFP will allege that he was contacted over social media by an individual who claimed to be from a thinktank. He is the second person to be charged by the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce since the federal parliament passed the Espionage and Foreign Interference bill in 2018.
The man allegedly met with two individuals, known to him as “Ken” and “Evelyn”, who offered the man money to gather information about Australian defence, economic and national security arrangements, plus matters relating to other countries. The AFP alleges Csergo – operating in Shanghai, China, as well as New South Wales and elsewhere – was contacted over social media by an individual who claimed to be from a thinktank.
The AFP alleges the man put together a number of reports for them and was paid for his reports. Csergo allegedly met with two individuals, known to him as “Ken” and “Evelyn”, who offered the man money to gather information about Australian defence, economic and national security arrangements, plus matters relating to other countries.
The police allege “Ken” and “Evelyn” work for a foreign intelligence service and are undertaking intelligence collection activities. The AFP alleges Csergo put together a number of reports for them and was paid for his reports between about 1 February 2021 and 14 April 2023.
The AFP believes other Australian citizens and residents may have also been approached by “Ken” and “Evelyn” and is urging anyone with information to come forward. The police allege “Ken” and “Evelyn” work for a foreign intelligence service and were undertaking intelligence collection activities.
“Espionage and foreign interference pose a serious threat to Australia’s sovereignty, security and integrity of our national institutions,” the AFP said. The AFP said other Australian citizens and residents may have also been approached by “Ken” and “Evelyn” and has urged anyone with information to come forward.
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“Espionage and foreign interference pose a serious threat to Australia’s sovereignty, security and integrity of our national institutions,” the AFP said.
“The Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce, which includes Asio and the AFP, is working to disrupt the threat and mitigate the harm from foreign interference and espionage.”“The Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce, which includes Asio and the AFP, is working to disrupt the threat and mitigate the harm from foreign interference and espionage.”
The man is the second person to be charged by the taskforce since the federal parliament passed the Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill in 2018.