How an Elderly Woman Cut Off the Internet in Two Countries

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Old people are harmless. But deep down inside, they just want to take your Internet away from you.

On March 28, Internet users in Georgia and Armenia were plunged into several hours of disconnected darkness. What had befell them? Was a revolution sweeping the country? No, just an elderly Georgian lady.

The 75-year-old woman was digging for scrap metal, when she unfortunately hit a cable. Thinking it was valuable, she decided to take it. The fiber optic cable also ran between the two countries, leaving thousands without Internet access. The horror. (More on Time.com: See photos of Mongolia’s technological transformation)

Authorities have charged her with damaging property. She may face up to three years in prison. Officials have said that, “Taking into account her advancing years, she has been released pending the end of the investigation and subsequent trial.”

It’s not the first time an event like this has occurred. A similar incident happened in 2009, also in Georgia. So, let’s recap. How close are these cables to the ground, again?

(via AFP)

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