Alexander Csergo has pleaded not guilty to the single charge after he was arrested in April last year, having recently returned home to Bondi from overseas. He has remained in custody since.
What's next?A Sydney businessman accused of reckless foreign interference has been granted bail after a judge said the case against him was "arguable" and he would otherwise spend almost another year in custody awaiting trial.
Judge Turnbull today made formal orders granting Mr Csergo bail, after the court was provided with details of ankle bracelet monitoring arrangements.Australian Federal Police have alleged the 56-year-old businessman was in contact with two people he knew as "Ken" and "Evelyn", who purported to be from a think tank.
That was "despite the aspirational statements we so commonly hear", the judge said, and such challenges could constitute "potential unfairness".Mr Csergo's counsel, Bernard Collaery, emphasised in his submissions his client's strong ties to the community, including his mother Catherine Csergo, who has attended every court date.
Yesterday, Mr Csergo appeared in court in person and was addressed directly by the judge who said it would be "crazy" to contemplate fleeing.The judge described that prospect as "an ultimate betrayal" to his "stoic" mother and brother, who each offered a $100,000 surety to secure his release."He's a man of good character. He is presumed innocent — and that is a touchstone for considerations under the Bail Act.
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Bondi businessman accused of helping Chinese spies told fleeing Australia would be ‘crazy’Alexander Csergo waiting to hear if he will be granted bail after already spending 14 months in jail
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