Authorities in Pakistan have detained Farhan Asif on allegations of cyber terrorism related to disinformation that contributed to unrest in the UK. The arrest follows the publication of a misleading article on Channel3Now, which erroneously identified a suspect in the Southport attack and falsely described him as a refugee who arrived in the UK by small boat. The article, which appeared on Channel3Now shortly after the attack, was widely circulated on social media, exacerbating tensions. The incident, involving the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, triggered violent disturbances across England and Northern Ireland.
Authorities seized two laptops and a mobile phone, during a police raid at Asif’s residence. Analysis of these devices revealed that the Channel3Now account on X (formerly Twitter) was actively managed by Asif. Lahore authorities stated that Asif admitted to drafting the document based on unconfirmed data from a UK-based social media account. He stated that he did not verify the information before dissemination and ran the website independently.
According to the police, Asif’s actions were intended to sensationalize the incident involving a Muslim asylum seeker, thereby inducing fear, panic, and insecurity among the public and government. The police also noted that Asif had misled investigators about his accomplices, attempting to shift blame. The Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency has taken over the case to determine if additional individuals were involved. BBC Verify has previously traced several individuals associated with Channel3Now and interviewed someone who identified as part of the site’s management. This individual acknowledged that the publication of incorrect information was an error, not an intentional act.
The spread of false information about the attacker, compounded by far-right rhetoric and anti-immigration sentiments, intensified the unrest. As of the latest update from the Crown Prosecution Service, 494 individuals have been charged in connection with the recent riots, with over 130 already sentenced, predominantly to imprisonment.
