Leader of hacker group that targeted CIA arrested in Australia

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SYDNEY, April 24 (UPI) -- Australian police say the leader of the hacking group LulzSec has been charged in connection with an attack on a government website in early April.

Australian Federal Police said Matthew Flannery, a 24-year-old IT professional from New South Wales, was charged with two counts of unauthorized modification of data and one count of unauthorized access to (or modification of) restricted data, CNN reported.

Police did not release the name of the man they described as the "self-proclaimed leader" of the hacking group, but said he was employed by a company doing work for government agencies.

The Australian federal police, in a statement, said investigators believe the man's "knowledge and skills presented a significant risk to the clients of the company for which he was employed had he continued his illegal online activities," the release stated.

LulzSec has claimed responsibility for several high profile cyberattacks, including intrusions targeting Sony Pictures, the U.S. Public Broadcasting Service, Britain's Serious Organized Crime Agency and the CIA.