Pakistan arrests man for spreading UK riot misinformation
Lahore man held for cyberterrorism linked to UK riot misinformation
Authorities in Pakistan have arrested a man for allegedly spreading misinformation that incited riots across the UK. The individual, a freelance web developer, was apprehended in Lahore on charges of cyberterrorism. Imran Kishwar, Lahore’s deputy inspector general of investigations, confirmed the arrest. The man is accused of operating the Channel3 Now account on the X social media platform, which first circulated false claims that the Southport knife attack suspect was a newly arrived asylum seeker.
Channel3 Now claims to be a news channel. Its Facebook page indicates management by individuals in Pakistan and the US. Following the misinformation, a violent mob formed in Southport. Police later clarified that the stabbing suspect was actually from the UK. On 31 July, Channel3 Now’s editor-in-chief issued an apology for “the misleading information published in a recent article” and expressed regret for any confusion caused.
The misinformation triggered over a week of riots in various UK cities, leading to more than 1,000 arrests. UK authorities have attributed the unrest to far-right agitators who continued to spread the false information and encourage violent demonstrations online. Officials in Lahore stated that the arrested individual had reposted the misinformation but was not its original source.
ملزمان سے 10لاکھ روپے تاوان کی رقم روپے برآمد، علاقہ ڈیفنس اے اور نواب ٹاؤن میں ہونے والی دو بڑی وارداتیں ٹریس کرکے ملزمان سے 4کروڑ 40 لاکھ روپے نقدی اور طلائی زیورات برآمد،
2/3 pic.twitter.com/5kusUDXQE7
— Organized Crime Unit Lahore (@OCULahore) August 21, 2024
Mr Kishwar explained that the suspect aimed to reach a larger audience in Europe and the US, particularly in the UK, to monetise his social media presence. He noted that the suspect capitalised on the Southport incident to expand his audience and increase his earnings through social media monetisation.
The case has been transferred to Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is responsible for handling cyberterrorism cases. The FIA stated that the misinformation caused “a sense of fear and insecurity” in England and also damaged Pakistan’s reputation.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News reports that Pakistani authorities have charged a man with cyber terrorism for spreading misinformation about a UK stabbing attack, leading to widespread rioting.(read more)
- BBC News reports on various topics including Kamala Harris’ nomination, a car crash orphan’s fund, and police investigating extreme misogyny by influencers, among other stories.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was a man in Pakistan arrested?
He was arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation that led to riots in the UK.
What was the misinformation about?
The misinformation falsely claimed the suspect in a Southport knife attack was an asylum seeker.
What is Channel3 Now?
Channel3 Now is a purported news channel with accounts managed by people in Pakistan and the US.
How did the misinformation affect the UK?
It led to more than a week of rioting and over 1,000 arrests.
What was the suspect’s motive for spreading misinformation?
He aimed to attract a wider audience for monetization purposes.
