Authorities in Montenegro have arrested an Iranian-Turkish citizen suspected of involvement in a series of widespread cyberattacks on institutions in the United States of America, which according to American prosecutors have caused damages exceeding $3.4 billion.
The suspect, identified only by the initials AB and aged 39, was detained in the tourist town of Kotor in a joint operation between Montenegrin police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to authorities, he is wanted in federal court in New York on charges that include conspiracy to commit computer fraud, hacking and identity theft.
Investigations show that from 2013 onwards, the suspect participated in large-scale cyberattacks against US infrastructure, including more than 150 universities. These activities allegedly resulted in billions of dollars in financial and operational damage.
Montenegrin authorities state that the stolen data was used to benefit Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as other institutions, including Iranian universities.
Investigations into the case are continuing in international cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
