Pakistani man arrested for spreading 'fake news' that sparked UK riots

A man was arrested in Lahore for spreading fake news that led to violent protests against immigrants and Muslims in the United Kingdom (UK), Geo News reported on Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Farhan Asif, works for a news platform in Pakistan and is accused of giving fake news regarding the identity of the killer of three girls in Britain.

According to DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, Farhan Asif was found involved in giving fake news during the investigation and was handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation.

FIA Additional Director Cyber Crime Chaudhry Sarfraz is investigating the matter.

Farhan Asif claimed he posted the news once, not knowing it would go viral.

The fake news reported that the person who killed three girls in Southport was a Muslim immigrant, when in fact the 17-year-old accused was from Rwanda and a Christian.

The fake news led to attacks by far-right extremists against Muslims and immigrants in the UK.

According to BBC, Channel 3 Now, a crime website, is being held responsible for broadcasting the fake news that caused the recent riots.

The website has a team of over 30 people working in the USA, UK, Pakistan, and India, with the UK team responsible for the fake news, the publication reported.

The British authorities have stated that fake news played a central role in making the protests in the UK violent in recent days.

A news platform spreading fake news is also being run from Lahore, Pakistan, sources said.