A court in Lahore, Pakistan has granted investigators permission to continue questioning a man in custody regarding his involvement in spreading false information that incited riots in the U.K. The suspect, a 32-year-old freelance web developer, was charged with cyber terrorism after his arrest in Lahore, Punjab province.
Authorities sought a two-week custody extension for the suspect, but the court only approved an additional four days for questioning. The suspect allegedly disseminated fake news through social media platforms, leading to violent incidents in England.
The misinformation revolved around a stabbing incident in Northwest England, falsely linking the suspect to being a recent asylum-seeker with a Muslim background. This led to a violent mob attacking a mosque near the crime scene. Police later clarified that the suspect was a U.K. native with parents from Rwanda and Christian beliefs.
Investigations revealed that the suspect operated a social media account named Channel3 Now, purportedly managed by individuals in Pakistan and the U.S. However, officials claim that the suspect was the sole operator of the account and intentionally spread false information to attract more viewers.
The suspect's lawyer expressed concerns over the court's swift decision to remand his client into federal agency custody without a proper hearing. The case has garnered significant attention due to the impact of misinformation on public safety and social harmony.
