Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, has announced that the German capital will not yield to a ransom demand from hackers who compromised city systems and stole data earlier in August. The demand was received on Thursday evening, though the specific amount sought was not disclosed by the mayor.
Der Spiegel reports that the hackers are demanding 30 bitcoin, valued at approximately €2 million (£1.7 million). Some of Berlin's online systems were forced to shut down following the attack, with investigators working to determine the extent of the data taken.
The Rhysida group, believed to operate from Russia and eastern Europe, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has stated on its website, according to Reuters, that it intends to begin auctioning 5.79 terabytes of stolen data from Berlin in seven days' time.
Officials confirmed an initial data leak occurred between 7 and 12 August, followed by the shutdown of two department networks on 14 August, which temporarily halted applications for housing benefits and payments. Forensic investigations have since uncovered further data leaks within Berlin's transport and environment department. The mayor's office stated that it cannot be ruled out that personal or other non-public data may also be affected.