Montenegro police arrest Iranian accused of hacking US universities

By Simon Ormiston Published on 26/06/2026 - 10:33 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The suspect is accused of helping steal data from more than 150 US universities over a hacking campaign dating back to 2013. Police in Montenegro have arrested an Iranian-Turkish national wanted by the United States over alleged cyberattacks that authorities say caused more than $3.4 billion (€2.98 billion) in damage. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Police said the 39-year-old suspect, identified only as A.B., was detained on Thursday in the coastal town of Kotor in an operation carried out with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The man is wanted by a court in New York on charges including computer fraud, hacking, identity theft and organised crime, according to a police statement. Montenegrin authorities alleged that from 2013 onwards, the suspect carried out "massive hacking attacks" on US infrastructure, including more than 150 universities. The stolen data and compromised university accounts were allegedly used for the benefit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian beneficiaries, including universities. The suspect is due to appear before a court in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, which will decide on the US extradition request. In 2018, the US Department of Justice issued an indictment that accused nine Iranian nationals of hacking universities and other organisations to steal academic research and data. US authorities have not said whether the latest arrest is connected to that case. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Venezuela earthquakes: bodies recovered as rescue efforts continue in La Guaira ​​Paris court rules TotalEnergies must account for indirect emissions and tighten climate policies Amid shifts in energy supply, which EU countries consume and produce the most gas? Hacking World News USA Iran cyber crime