Lahore police have arrested a man named Farhan Asif in connection with violent protests and riots in Britain, triggered by the spread of fake news. The suspect was detained in the Defence area of Lahore and is accused of spreading false information about the identity of the killers of three girls in Britain, which allegedly fueled the unrest.
Farhan Asif, who works as a freelancer for a news platform in Pakistan, was handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation. According to the FIA, Asif’s social media video post containing false information incited violent actions and controversies in the UK. The British authorities had informed the Pakistani government about Asif’s activities, leading to his arrest. The CIA Model Town Police led the operation, and initial inquiries have verified Asif’s role in disseminating the false information.
FIA officials have stated that a case will be registered against Farhan Asif under the provisions of cyberterrorism. This situation highlights the grave consequences of spreading false information and the extensive impacts it can have across borders.
The unrest in the UK was sparked by the tragic stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, a seaside town in northern England, at the end of July. The violence, which spread to various towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland, was fueled by online misinformation, far-right activity, and anti-immigration sentiment.
Read More: Three Children Killed in Stabbing Incident at U.K. Dance Class
In the aftermath, communities organized rallies, with thousands gathering to oppose the riots. Social media posts falsely claimed that the suspect in the stabbing was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Incorrect information, including an incorrect name and baseless rumors that the suspect was Muslim, circulated widely. According to the BBC and other sources, the suspect was actually of Rwandan descent and born in Wales.
Read More: Southport Suspect With Christian Background Identified Amid Protest Targeting Mosque
Police urged the public to avoid spreading “unconfirmed speculation and false information.”
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