Anonymous takes credit for hacking Montreal police website

The Quebec branch of the online hackercollective Anonymousis taking credit for infiltratingthe websites of theMontreal police and the union representing its officers.

Around 10:30 p.m. ETon Friday, theMontreal police websitewent offline, followed minutes later by that of theMontreal police brotherhood.As of 10 a.m. on Saturday, the former wasstill not working.

Anonymous said via Twitter thepolice were targeted because of the accusations of brutality during the recent student demonstrations, which have seen thousands take to the streets nightly in protest of recent austerity measures.

• Quebec City protesters shot directly with tear gas
• Montreal police hand out fines after downtown student protests
• UQAM students barricade themselves inside university building

The groupalso indicated it will "ruin the life"of a police officer shown pepper spraying protesters in Montreal.

This cyberattack comes on the heels of similar attacks on the websites of Toronto police and the City of Ottawa.

Situation 'sad,' says police

Montreal police tell CBC Newsit's working on getting itswebsiteback online.

Spokesman Manuel Couture described the situation as "sad" andsaidinformation on missing people, police contacts, and news releases are not accessible to the public when the website is down.

"There's a lot of information for the citizens, so it's pretty sad that right now, they don't have access to the site,"he said.

However, Anonymous said itwill continue to target Montreal police, even after the website is back online.