Australian businessman who lived in China faces court charged with foreign interference
An Australian businessman who specialises in relations with China has faced court today after being charged with foreign interference.
Alexander Csergo was arrested in Sydney on Friday, accused of selling information to a foreign intelligence organisation.
The 55-year-old, who has worked and lived in Shanghai, boasts a career on social media as a specialist in communications, technology and business.
READ MORE: Australian man charged with foreign interference after allegedly compiling reports for pair of spies
Alexander Csergo, 55, from Bondi was charged with a foreign interference offence. Supplied
Police said Csergo allegedly handed over information about the Australian Defence Force as well as economic and national security arrangements.
It is also alleged he was contacted over social media by a group acting as a think tank.
Police said two individuals called "Ken" and "Evelyn" offered Csergo money to relay the information.
The AFP believes the two were working for a foreign intelligence service and were undertaking information collection activities.
"It is alleged the Australian man compiled a number of reports for the individuals and received payment for those reports," AFP assistant commissioner Krissy Barrett said yesterday.
READ MORE: Supermarket giant's credit card customers caught up in cyber hack
Csergo was arrested and charged with a foreign interference offence in Bondi yesterday. AFP
International security expert Greg Barton said, if proven, the alleged incident would be a "classic" case of espionage.
"It does seem like a classic case of grooming (and) building trust... hoping to strike gold with someone who may not be that important but has connections that are important," international security expert Greg Barton said.
Barrett said the foreign spies may have contacted other Australians, or could do so in the future.
"The AFP believes other Australian citizens and residents may have been approached by Ken and Evelyn," she said.
Csergo appeared in Parramatta Local Court via video link on Saturday morning.
His matter has been adjourned until Monday.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.
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