Australian businessman allegedly given envelopes of cash from Chinese spies for information

Court told Alexander Csergo was paid to prepare reports on Australian defence arrangements, but lawyer says documents were ‘not necessarily sinister’

Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

A well-educated, sophisticated Australian businessman received envelopes of cash from suspected Chinese spies in exchange for handwritten reports on Australia’s foreign alliances, a court has been told.

Alexander Csergo, 55, is accused of accepting money from two spies dubbed “Ken” and “Evelyn” in exchange for reports on Australian defence, economic and national security arrangements while he worked in China during Shanghai’s extended Covid-19 lockdown.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading…Read More