Lulzsec Hacking Suspect Cleary Released On Bail

Alleged Lulzsec hacker Ryan Cleary has been released on conditional bail.

The 19-year-old, who was arrested last Monday in a joint operation by the FBI and Scotland Yard and accused of taking part in the attacks carried out by the Lulz Security group has been released on condition that he wear a tag and observe a curfew, according to reports in the Mirror and Telegraph.

Asperger’s diagnosis

Cleary, who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome since his arrest, was granted bail on condition that he remains in his home between 9pm and 7am, wears an electronic tag, and only leaves the home in the company of one of his parents, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 19-year-old has been charged specifically with involvement in the Lulzsec denial of service attack on the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), one of several attacks on “establishment” targets during Lulzsec’s 50-day campaign, which ended on Saturday with the group announcing it had disbanded. Lulzsec also attacked the sites of the CIA and the US Senate.

Cleary’s mother Rita spoke on his behalf in court, saying he was “reclusive”.

The case has parallels with Gary McKinnon, who was hacked into NASA and US military computers in 2001 and 2002, and apparently vandalised some. McKinnon, who has also been diagnosed with Asperger’s, was arrested in 2002, and has remained in legal limbo, with an appeal against extradition to the US which has been debated in the House of Lords.