Nineteen-year-old detained over hacking


23 Jun 2011

The 19-year-old suspected of being the mastermind behind the hacking group LulzSec is being held for questioning about cyber attacks against a British law enforcement agency and two music industry bodies.

Ryan Cleary of Essex appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ court in London today and was remanded into police custody for more questioning. He could be there for up to three more days.

He was charged Wednesday with five offences under the Criminal Law Act and Computer Misuse Act. A joint investigation between London police and the FBI led to his arrest at his home on Monday.

Cleary is accused of attacking Britain’s Serious Organised Crime Agency’s (SOCA) websites and sites owned by the British Phonographic Industry and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Hacking group Lulz Security (LulzSec) claimed responsibility for the attack on SOCA, as well as attacks on the CIA and Sony Corp, though it denied Cleary is a member of the group.