No evidence against the suspect has been found, investigation officer states in court
Court Reporter
LAHORE: A local court in the Punjab capital on Monday discharged suspect Farhan Asif from the charges of spreading disinformation regarding the killer of three children in Southport, England — the gruesome murders that recently sparked widespread riots in the United Kingdom.
The Lahore police had arrested the suspect on the charges of publishing “fake news” story that allegedly triggered widespread anti-immigrant riots in the UK.
The riots saw numerous mosques, asylum centres and immigrant homes being attacked in several regions of Britain.
In Pakistan, Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime wing was investigating the charges against Asif.
During the hearing today, the investigation officer (IO) informed a judicial magistrate’s court in Lahore that the “news” about the murder had been shared on the social media previously and suspect Asif had only “re-shared” it.
“The allegations have been investigated from every aspect and no evidence against the suspect has been found,” the IO stated.
At this, the court inquired about the time and person with whom the suspect shared the news.
Asif, while responding to the query, stated that he deleted the news six hours after sharing it.
After this, the court discharged the suspect and ordered his immediate release.
Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were the three girls who were killed in the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town of Southport on July 29. The assault also left eight children and two adults wounded.
A 17-year-old suspect was arrested. However, due to his age, his identity was not disclosed. But, misinformation about the suspect’s Muslim identity began circulating online. Social media reports named him Ali-Al-Shakati, claiming he migrated to the UK by boat in 2023.
These social media claims that the suspect was a Muslim immigrant triggered anti-immigrant riots across the UK.
