Authorities in Pakistan arrested and charged a man with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that sparked rioting in the United Kingdom earlier this month.
The suspect, freelance web developer Farhan Asif, 32, was apprehended in Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province, said Imran Kishwar, deputy inspector general of investigations.
Asif is accused of spreading false information from YouTube and Facebook regarding a stabbing attack in Northwest England. The misinformation wrongly identified the suspect as an asylum-seeker and suggested he was Muslim.
After violent protests ensued following the misinformation, police clarified that the suspect was a U.K. native. The false reports were widely disseminated, contributing to over 1,000 arrests in the U.K.
Authorities have pointed to far-right agitators for fueling the unrest by spreading misinformation and promoting violent demonstrations online.
Asif allegedly managed the Channel3 Now account, reposting fake news to gain viewers and income. He has been charged with cyber terrorism.
Kishwar noted that Asif’s arrest serves as a warning to others to verify information before sharing it online. The case has been handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency.
It is unclear if Britain will request Asif’s extradition, as there is no treaty between the two countries.
Investigators have been granted permission to question Asif further and he is expected to appear in court again for further interrogation.