Arion Kurtaj, the individual responsible for the 2022 Rockstar Games leak that provided the public with its first look at Grand Theft Auto VI, has been released from the secure hospital where he was being held. Following a medical assessment that deemed him fit enough to leave the facility, Kurtaj has been transferred to a standard prison to await a formal criminal trial.
Quick Facts
- Leaker: Arion Kurtaj, member of the hacking group Lapsus$.
- Current Status: Transferred from a secure hospital to a regular prison.
- Trial Date: Scheduled for November 2026.
- Game Release: Grand Theft Auto VI is currently slated for release on November 19, 2026.
BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy confirmed the transfer on Bluesky, noting that reporting restrictions previously prevented the confirmation of Kurtaj's move. The shift in his custody status follows the circulation of images on Snapchat that appeared to show the hacker within a prison environment.
Kurtaj was originally handed a life sentence in a secure hospital due to a severe autism diagnosis, with a judge determining at the time that he posed a significant threat to the public. During his initial trial, it was alleged that he acted violently while in custody. The original sentencing stipulated that he would remain in the secure facility until medical professionals deemed him fit for release.
While this move marks a transition out of the hospital, it does not mean Kurtaj is walking free. He remains in custody at a standard prison, where he will be held until he faces a full criminal trial later this year. Coincidentally, this trial is set to occur in November 2026, the same month Rockstar Games is expected to release Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.