Lahore Resident Detained for False Information on UK Protests

Lahore-A man apprehended from Lahore’s Defence area, Farhan Asif, is accused of spreading false information about the murder of three girls in Britain, which allegedly triggered significant unrest.

According to police sources, Asif, who works as a freelancer for a news platform in Pakistan, has been transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation. The FIA confirmed that Asif’s misinformation, which he shared through a video post on social media, incited violent reactions and controversies in the UK.

The arrest followed British authorities’ notification to the Pakistani government about Asif’s activities. The CIA Model Town Police carried out the operation leading to his capture. Preliminary investigations have verified Asif’s role in disseminating the fake news.

The FIA has indicated that a case against Asif will be filed under cyberterrorism laws. This incident underscores the severe consequences of spreading misinformation and its potential international repercussions.

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The stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, northern England, in late July, triggered the most severe unrest in the UK in over a decade. The violence, which spread across various towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland, was aggravated by online misinformation, far-right activity, and anti-immigration sentiment.

In response, communities organized rallies with thousands gathering to oppose the riots. Immediately after the attack, social media posts inaccurately claimed that the suspect was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Additionally, false information circulated about the suspect being Muslim. However, reports from the BBC and other media outlets clarified that the suspect was born in Wales to Rwandan parents.

Police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified speculation and false information. The day after the attack, a vigil was held for the victims in Southport with over a thousand attendees. However, violence erupted later that evening near a local mosque, where protesters threw bricks, bottles, and other objects, resulting in a police van being set on fire and 27 officers hospitalized.

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