Czech police arrest Russian in connection with U.S. hacking attacks

Czech police arrest Russian in connection with U.S. hacking attacks

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-usa-russia-cybercrime-idUSKCN12J0MV

Czech police have detained a Russian man wanted in connection with hacking attacks on targets in the United States, the police said, without giving further details.

The arrest was carried out in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Czech police said on their website on Tuesday evening. Interpol had issued a so-called Red Notice for the man, seeking his arrest, they added.

The Russian citizen was detained at a Prague hotel. Police said he collapsed and was hospitalized. Czech courts will decide whether he will be extradited, police said.

A police spokesman declined to give further details on the arrest. It was not immediately clear what hacking attacks the Russian citizen was wanted for.

The U.S. government this month formally accused Russia for the first time of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said a hacking scandal would not be in Russia's interests.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet and Robert Muller; Editing by Hugh Lawson)