(AP) — The lawyer for a British suspect linked to the Lulz Security hacking collective said Friday that she'd fight any moves to have her client tried in an American court.
A federal indictment filed Tuesday accused the 20-year-old of hacking into sites for the talent competition "The X-Factor," ''PBS NewsHour," Sony Pictures and others. The sites were hit at the beginning of a months-long attack spree claimed by LulzSec, whose online exploits focused international attention on the power of so-called "hacktivist" groups.
Many of those thought to be behind LulzSec have since been arrested — including the alleged ringleader, Hector Xavier Monsegur, whose exposure as an FBI informant shocked many former associates.
Ryan Cleary, who was detained last year, already faces British charges that he and others hacked the Serious Organized Crime Agency and various U.K. music sites.
In a statement, attorney Karen Todner said Cleary suffered from Asperger's Syndrome and that any move to extradite him to the U.S. would be "fiercely contested."
Cleary faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on all U.S. charges.
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