A Pakistani judge on Monday (August 26, 2024) acquitted a man who was accused of spreading misinformation that helped spark massive riots in Britain earlier this month, officials reported.
The decision comes less than a week after web developer Farhan Asif, 32, was arrested in a raid at his home in Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province, and charged with cyberterrorism.
After the hearing on Monday (August 26, 2024), the judge ordered the release of Mr Asif, who was released. He told the judge that he had deleted his post on social media only six hours later when he realised it was not right.
Federal investigators told the judge they had no evidence to prove he was guilty of knowingly spreading misinformation, defense lawyer Rana Rizwan told reporters.
The federal investigation agency had accused Mr Asif of spreading misinformation on YouTube and Facebook about a British teenager suspected in the July 29 stabbing attack at a dance class in northwest England that killed three girls and injured 10 others.