DHAKA: Australian police and central bank websites fell victim to cyber attacks on Thursday with an Indonesian hacker claiming responsibility, reportedly demanding that Canberra apologise in an intensifying row over spying.

The row, triggered by reports that Australian spies tried to tap the phones of the Indonesian president, his wife and ministers, has pushed ties between Jakarta and Canberra to their lowest level since the turn of the century.

Officials called the attack on the Australian Federal Police and the Reserve Bank of Australia ‘irresponsible’, and said whoever was to blame could face prosecution.

‘These attacks... will not influence government policy,’ the federal police said in a statement, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1722 HRS, NOV 20, 2013
RoR/RIS