Adelaide mum Marina Sologub accused of being a Russian spy lashes out at 60 Minutes reporter

A South Australian mother accused of being a Russian spy has lashed out over her alleged ties to a Kremlin mystery man during a TV interview.

ASIO alleges that Marina Sologub, 39, is a Russian agent tasked with collecting and sharing sensitive information and passing it on to a Russian intelligence officer working under diplomatic cover.

She strongly denies the allegations, but admits that she has spoken to the man in question.

Grilled by 60 Minutes about her recollection of events, Sologub snapped at reporter Tara Brown, saying, “I’m starting to lose my temper.”

The Kazakhstani-born ethnic Russian arrived in Australia in 2020 on a distinctive talent visa, following a decade-long career in the aerospace industry in Ireland, where she lived most of her life.

Sologub is currently being held at an immigration center in Melbourne pending a decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on her visa.

Sologub claimed she had not spoken to the suspected Russian intelligence officer outside of work, except for one occasion.

‘The only time I speak [to him] was working and sharing what the plans are for the meetings and when they will take place. This is all administration,” Sologub said.

She was then asked why the pair were friends on Facebook.

“Do you know how many friends I have on Facebook?” Sologub snapped back.

‘I have people from America with whom I have also worked. From Europe, with whom I also worked.

“We exchange happy birthdays, that’s all. This is a normal working relationship. It’s not a friend.’

Sologub went on to say, “If you’re not interested in hearing me why we’re doing this?”

“I’ll try to explain it to you again, because I’m starting to lose my temper.

“You can say one thing and have one thing in mind, but people who want to use this against you will use it however they want. It doesn’t matter what I say to you, you don’t listen to me.’

Sologub said if she is deported back to Ireland she will be sent to the international human rights court to clear her name.

The Kazakhstan-born ethnic Russian (pictured with husband Alex) arrived in Australia in 2020 on a distinctive talent visa, following a decade-long career in the aerospace industry in Ireland, where she lived most of her life.

A dramatic raid on her home in November 2021 was carried out by ASIO, Border Force and the Australian Federal Police.

Agents seized a business card belonging to the suspected Russian diplomat and all of her electronic devices, including computers and telephones.

ASIO is the only intelligence agency in the Five Eyes group – comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – that can openly detain alleged spies for questioning without charge for 24 hours.

Her visa was canceled within those 24 hours and she was transported to immigration detention.

Since her arrest, she has been subject to five ASIO interviews, with all information gathered by the government agency kept secret.

Marina Sologub (pictured with her husband Alex) maintains her innocence and is challenging the cancellation of her top talent visa

Sologub briefly worked at a private aerospace company, at Deloitte’s Adelaide office and finally at a municipality after arriving in Australia in September 2020.

She was quickly brought to Australia on an ‘858 Distinctive Talent Visa’ due to her expertise in the aerospace sector.

The Australian Space Agency is based in Adelaide and the city is a hub for space research and development.

She had worked for the National Space Center in Ireland and was also working for consulting firm Deloitte on space projects when she first arrived in Australia.

Sologub’s husband, Alex, vehemently denied the allegations against his wife, claiming he would know if she was a spy.

“I know she’s innocent. If she was involved, I would already know,” he said.

‘This is wrong. It’s false, false, false. It’s a lie an accusation. No truth.’

The Administrative Appeal Tribunal is expected to make a decision on Sologub’s visa in July this year.

Former Australian diplomat Peter Tesch, who represented Canberra in Moscow, said ASIO must make a “difficult” decision in Sologub’s case.

Former Australian diplomat Peter Tesch, who represented Canberra in Moscow from 2016 to 2019, said ASIO must make a “difficult” decision in Sologub’s case.

“Ultimately, these kinds of decisions have quite a big impact on the individuals, sometimes on bilateral relations, but they also always involve issues of national security,” Tesch said.

“Russian foreign intelligence services are very capable, very professional, very well equipped, and of course their ability to seize opportunities is probably unparalleled.”

Sologub’s visa was canceled by Secretary of the Interior Claire O’Neil after ASIO gave her a negative security assessment.

The Minister has the power to revoke individual visas if he believes an individual fails a character test and it is in the national interest.

Ms Solugub’s lawyer said it was difficult to challenge her case in the appeals court because ASIO provided very little information and it was up to her client to prove she is not a Russian spy.

She has not been charged with any criminal offense.