ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have arrested and charged a Lahore resident with “digital terrorism” for his alleged function in disseminating misinformation that stoked race-motivated unrest throughout the UK following the stabbing of three schoolgirls within the northern England city of Southport.
Farhan Asif, the accused, was picked up from his residence within the posh defence space of Lahore after being interrogated.He was handed over to the Federal Investigation Company (FIA), which has since taken up the case.
Police mentioned Asif, 32, was linked to a web site, Channel 3 Now, that’s blamed for spreading misinformation in regards to the British teenage suspect within the July 29 stabbings at a dance class.
The channel was among the many first information retailers to falsely report that the suspect within the crime was an individual named Ali al-Shakati. It mentioned the latter was an asylum-seeker who arrived within the UK by boat.
A Fb account for the channel is managed by individuals in Pakistan and the US.
The violent unrest unfold from Southport to cities and cities in England and Northern Eire, pushed by far-right ideology, misinformation, and anti-immigration sentiment.
Officers aware of developments mentioned their investigation led them to the conclusion that Asif was a contract internet developer related to the Channel3 Now platform. He was not the supply of the faux information, however copy-pasted it from a social media put up, they mentioned.
“The allegations shouldn’t be taken evenly as they’ll have a far-reaching influence on the Pakistani group within the UK, specifically, and Muslims generally,” mentioned Imran Kishwar, DIG (investigations) in Lahore.
It was unclear if Britain had requested Asif’s extradition.
Farhan Asif, the accused, was picked up from his residence within the posh defence space of Lahore after being interrogated.He was handed over to the Federal Investigation Company (FIA), which has since taken up the case.
Police mentioned Asif, 32, was linked to a web site, Channel 3 Now, that’s blamed for spreading misinformation in regards to the British teenage suspect within the July 29 stabbings at a dance class.
The channel was among the many first information retailers to falsely report that the suspect within the crime was an individual named Ali al-Shakati. It mentioned the latter was an asylum-seeker who arrived within the UK by boat.
A Fb account for the channel is managed by individuals in Pakistan and the US.
The violent unrest unfold from Southport to cities and cities in England and Northern Eire, pushed by far-right ideology, misinformation, and anti-immigration sentiment.
Officers aware of developments mentioned their investigation led them to the conclusion that Asif was a contract internet developer related to the Channel3 Now platform. He was not the supply of the faux information, however copy-pasted it from a social media put up, they mentioned.
“The allegations shouldn’t be taken evenly as they’ll have a far-reaching influence on the Pakistani group within the UK, specifically, and Muslims generally,” mentioned Imran Kishwar, DIG (investigations) in Lahore.
It was unclear if Britain had requested Asif’s extradition.
