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Anonymous hackers answer arrests by blocking Spanish police website

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This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The hacker-activist group Anonymous retaliated against the Spanish police over the weekend after three of its members were arrested by denying Web surfers access to the law agency’s website.

Spanish police arrested three men Friday, stating that they were key organizing members of the band of hackers. While Anonymous has said the men were part of the group, the hacker collective also said the three weren’t core members, because such a hierarchy doesn’t exist.

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Anonymous dubbed their actions against the Spanish police ‘Operation Policia’ or ‘#OpPolicia’ on the social networking site Twitter.

Despite having no leadership per se, someone did take the lead and write up a press release on behalf of Anonymous about the group’s attack on the Spanish police site, stating:

Greetings Spanish Government:We know you have heard of us; We are Anonymous. It has come to our attention that you deemed it necessary to arrest three of our fellow anons, ... which you claim to be the leaders of Anonymous and for their participation in DDoS attacks against various websites...First and foremost, DDoSing is an act of peaceful protest on the Internet. The activity is no different than sitting peacefully in front of a shop denying entry. Just as is the case with traditional forms of protest...Regardless of how many times you are told, you refuse to understand. There are no leaders of Anonymous. Anonymous is not based on personal distinction...Arresting somebody for taking part in a DDoS attack is exactly like arresting somebody for attending a peaceful demonstration in their hometown. Anonymous believes this right to peacefully protest is one of the fundamental pillars of any democracy...You have not detained three participants of Anonymous. We have no members and we are not a group of any kind. You have, however, detained three civilians expressing themselves...You are providing us with the fuel, but now you must expect the fire.Awaiting your action,Anonymous

According to the BBC, the ‘hactivist’ group was able to keep the Spanish police website offline for ‘about an hour’ on Sunday.

‘Spanish authorities would not confirm that Anonymous was behind the attack, saying only that the site was offline,’ the BBC said.

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Spanish police press conference that detailed the arrest of three alleged hackers who’ve reportedly participated in actions carried out by the group Anonymous, which changed the photo. Police faces have been replaced with Guy Fawkes masks worn by the character in the comic-book V For Vendetta, with one officer edited to appear to be holding his actual face. Credit: AnonOps Communications blog

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