Kira and Igor Korolev are charged with preparing for an espionage offence. (Youtube/Facebook)
In short:
Material allegedly found on the devices of two accused Russian spies is in a foreign language and needs translating.
An accredited translator has begun the process of going through all the material.
What's next?
Kira Korolev's barrister may look to make a bail application in the new year because of the delays.
A "significant volume" of foreign language material has allegedly been found on the devices of two accused Russian spies, leading to delays in the case.
Army private Kira Korolev, 40, and her husband Igor, 62, were arrested at their Brisbane home in July and charged with preparing for an espionage offence.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
Igor and Kira Korolev were arrested in their Everton apartment in July. (ABC News: Laura Lavelle)
Ms Korolev, who also holds a Russian passport, is accused of conducting non-declared travel to Russia while on leave from the the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege Igor then accessed her official account from home and passed sensitive information onto her in Russia.
The AFP allege the pair, who had been living in Australia for 10 years prior to their arrest, intended to give that information to the Russian authorities.
It's alleged Igor Korolev passed sensitive information onto Ms Korolev in Russia. (Supplied)
The matter was heard briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning, with counsel representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ellie McDonald, requesting an adjournment until March so they could translate the material found by investigators.
"The first brief of evidence was disclosed on Tuesday this week," Ms McDonald told the court.
"A large portion of the material that was found on a number of devices was in a foreign language.
"An accredited translator has begun the process of going through all the material that requires translation, but that process is going to take some time given the volume of material in this matter."
'Quite significant' delay
Counsel for Kira Korolev, George Thomas, said while he understood the need for accurate translations, the delays left his client in a "difficult situation".
"I am concerned, and no doubt the court would be concerned, that my client was arrested in July this year. We're now in December," he said.
Kira Korolev has been in custody for months. (Facebook)
"The delay is quite significant, my client is in custody, it's a difficult situation."
Mr Thomas said while he was not in a position to make a bail application today, he would now consider it.
"It's probably looking more on the cards if there's going to be continuing delay, Your Honour," he said.
The request for an adjournment was granted, with the case to return to the Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 7.