Dutch Arrest 16-Year-Old for Involvement With Pro-WikiLeaks Hacking Attack

Dutch Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of involvement with the attacks of the MasterCard and Visa websites allegedly started by a group called Anonymous, who are sympathizers of WikiLeaks, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Authorities arrested the teen in The Hague Wednesday night, saying he acknowledged being involved in the cyber war against the two credit card companies' websites, according to the Dutch prosecution office. Computers and Data-storage devices were also seized.

The teenager, who authorities did not identify, remains in custody and is set to appear before a judge on Dec. 10.

Police believe he is part of group of the group Anonymous -- so-called WikiLeaks allies behind denial-of-service attacks against commercial websites which have withdrawn services from WikiLeaks -- including Mastercard and Visa, which have refused to process payments to the site -- and the Swiss bank PostFinance, which froze WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's account. The group calls their effort Operation Payback.

Police are investigating the matter further, including the possibility of involvement by others in the Netherlands.

WikiLeaks itself says it is not directly behind the attacks and will continue to release secret documents. Its supporters, though, appear to have joined a cyber war they've vowed to continue and expand.

According to the Wall Street Journal, on Thursday a 22-year-old man claiming to be a spokesman for the hackers vowed on British Broadcasting Corp. radio that the attacks would continue. "I see this as becoming a war, but not your conventional war--this is a war of data," said the man, identifying himself only as "ColdBlood." "We're trying to keep the Internet open and free for everyone."

CBSNews.com Special Report: WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks CableGate Update Blog

[hiccum]

So they caught the mastermind huh?
No thanks to a b c n e w y o r k t i m e s n p r r u e t e r s d i s n e y

[vkmo]

He's not the only one. I posted criticism on the internet of JA. In retaliation my ID has been attacked and the attacks are continuing. Since Dec 2 my ID has been attacked over 150 times. These attacks were termed "unauthorized attack" by my antivirus provider. JA supporters are not in favor of free speech, they want to HURT you if you criticise them.

[hiccum]

They kidnapped me in 1982 and stuck a monitoring device in my back. After the inquisition I found out they named the b o m b after my miner gggggreat grandpa.

[askagain]

Freedom of speech is not absolute. If the documents were not secured legally, those involved with posting them on the internet should be prosecuted. Anyone using their clearance to steal documents from their employers, ex. the army, should be sentenced harshly. Our security and the security of other countries should not be compromised. The WickLeaks people will do more harm to restrict freedom of the internet than all of the porn sites put together. Don't be surprised if many countries start censoring and restricting content on the internet. With freedom comes responsibility.

[AVoiceofR3ason]

"We're trying to keep the Internet open and free for everyone."

By attacking sites so people can not access them. Reeel Smart.