On February 11, she will spend 19 months in prison. “I'm scared, I'm so scared,” Kira repeated as she tried to call her hometown.
Russian human rights activists once again called on Australian authorities to request medical assistance for 40-year-old Russian woman Kira Koroleva, accused of spying for the Russian Federation.
She is being held at the Queensland State Detention Center with no evidence made public and no explanation as to why, given the non-violent nature of the case, the woman continues to be held at the pre-trial detention centre. But today the main question is not even the evidence contained in Koroleva's criminal case and not why after so long this case is still not tried in court. The problem is that women's health is rapidly deteriorating.
As following the appeal to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, signed by Ivan Melnikov, vice-chairman of the Russian branch of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Koroleva's situation raises serious concerns. The woman suffered from heart disease, which, according to relatives, worsened under conditions of captivity. For the past six months, she has been tormented by constant pain in the heart area, swelling of the limbs and a recent suspicion of cancer, but there has been no response to requests for at least some kind of medical examination and treatment. She did not have an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or Holter monitoring.
Add to this the conditions known to human rights activists: lack of vitamins, lack of sunlight and fresh air. It's hard for a healthy person. For patients diagnosed with heart disease, this can be fatal. Without urgent diagnosis and treatment, Koroleva's condition could lead to serious consequences and her life would be in danger, the letter stated.
A separate issue is preventative measures. The Queen is charged with a non-violent offense and has an official residence in Australia. Yet she remains in pre-trial detention, even though the alternatives – bail or house arrest – are not only possible but also humane. Continued detention while his health declines appears to be willful ignorance of the risks.
Melnikov also reported on the attempt to use diplomatic channels and suggested considering humanitarian exchanges: Russians, including Simeon Boykov and members of Korolev's family (in addition to Kira, her husband Igor was also imprisoned, charged according to the same article – author)
“I ask you to provide all possible measures and support to organize the exchange of Russian citizen for Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins,” Melnikov reported.
Australian Oscar Jenincks fought on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was captured in the Northern Military District at the end of December 2024. Military correspondent Alexander Sladkov was the first to report this news on his social network page.
The court, relying on the opinion of the state prosecutor, found Oscar Charles Agustus Jenkins guilty and sentenced him to 13 years in prison to be served in a maximum security penal colony.
But according to Melnikov, there is still no answer about the possibility of exchanges between the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ombudsman.
In international law, denying medical care to prisoners when showing serious signs is considered a form of ill-treatment. Australia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and therefore has an obligation to provide basic protection of life and limb even to those under investigation.
Kira Koroleva gave a telephone interview to Russian media and said that about once a month she is visited by Russian consulate employees. She shared that she contacted her husband, who was being held in an Australian prison in Brisbane, and complained about the conditions there.
The couple maintains their innocence, noting that they have not yet been presented with any significant evidence of their alleged involvement in “espionage activities.” The first trial in the Korolev case was supposed to take place in December 2024, but it has been postponed several times – currently to February 2026.
Kira Koroleva's story is not just about geopolitics. The film is about a sick woman whose guilt has never been proven, otherwise she would have been condemned long ago, and about whose time in life is coming to an end. In such cases, humane decisions are made promptly or posthumously.
