LulzSec-Affiliated Hacker Released on Bail

Ryan Cleary, the 19-year-old hacker accused of participating in attacks executed by LulzSec and Anonymous, has been released on bail under strict conditions.

The teenager was arrested last week by the Metropolitan Police at his mother's house in Wickford, Essex, and charged with four offenses under the Computer Misuse Act and one under the Criminal Law Act.

Prosecutors claim that the young hacker is responsible for building a botnet and using it to attack the websites of the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

During a hearing at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, Cleary's lawyer revealed that the teenager was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome while in custody and that he is suffering from agoraphobia.

On Monday, prosecutors were unsuccessful to appeal Cleary's bail in London's Southwark Crown Court and the hacker was released.

As part of his bail agreement, the teenager must observe a curfew between 9 am and 7 pm, he must not leave the house without his mother, and is banned from using any device that can connect to the Internet. He is also electronically tagged.

While in custody Clearly was interrogated about cyber attacks executed by LulzSec and Anonymous. The FBI, which also investigates the two groups, has sent agents to assist.

Following the hacker's arrest, LulzSec publicly announced that he is not a member and is only loosely affiliated with the group. However, the teenager is believed to be a long-time Anonymous supporter.

LulzSec has since dissolved back into Anonymous, prompting observers to speculate that the hacking outfit's members were uncomfortable with the heat. Cleary is the second British hacker after Gary McKinnon to be diagnosed with Asperger's.