Czech police have revealed a joint operation with the FBI to arrest a Russian citizen who is alleged to have launched cyberattacks on the United States.
A Russian citizen has been arrested in Prague during a joint operation between the FBI and the Czech police on Wednesday. The Russian national is suspected of initiating cyberattacks on the United States.
The arrest comes within a week of Washington formally accusing the Russian government of trying to “interfere” in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections by hacking political institutions. These accusations have repeatedly been dismissed by Russia.
Meanwhile, the AFP reports that there is no substantial indication from the Czech police to show that the arrest in Prague was linked to the claims by the United States.
Police spokesman David Schon said in a statement:
Czech police have successfully collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The aim of the operation was a Russian citizen suspected of hacking attacks on targets in the United States.
The statement further revealed that the arrest took place in the city center in Prague. The suspected was not identified by name. Also, the suspect reportedly collapsed in police custody, who was then given first aid before being hospitalized.
Now, judicial authorities in the Czech Republic will rule on his extradition to the United States.
Meanwhile, the official word from Kremlin has condemned Washington for its “unprecedented” threats, pointing to a recent communication by US Vice President Joe Biden, who told NBC that Putin will receive a “message” about the alleged hacking.
The vice president revealed that Washington would respond to the attacks “at a time of our choosing and under the circumstances that have the greatest impact.”
Meanwhile, it isn’t immediately clear if the U.S. government had made a formal request for extradition already.
It is yet unknown if the suspected hacker under arrest is behind the infamous cyberattacks and hacks of the Democratic Party servers.
Prague image credit: Pexels.
