A Pakistani man appeared in a Lahore district court on Wednesday, facing charges of cyber terrorism after allegedly spreading disinformation on his clickbait website, which is believed to have incited anti-immigration riots in Britain.
Farhan Asif, a 31-year-old software engineer with no formal journalism credentials, is accused of publishing a false article on his website, Channel3Now. The article claimed that a Muslim asylum seeker was suspected in a deadly knife attack on children in the United Kingdom. This misinformation is thought to have fueled days of unrest in multiple English towns and cities, where mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, police officers, and other properties were targeted in violent riots.
A senior official from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), speaking to AFP on the condition of anonymity, explained that Asif’s primary motivation appeared to be financial gain. “Initial investigations indicate that his sole intent was to make money through clickbait content,” the official stated.
The disinformation was reportedly published on Channel3Now just hours after the knife attack, and it quickly spread across social media, contributing to widespread unrest. The riots followed the July 29 attack in Southport, where three girls were killed during a dance class. The man charged with murder and attempted murder, Axel Rudakubana, was born in Britain to parents from Rwanda, a predominantly Christian country.
UK authorities have attributed the riots to the spread of online misinformation, with far-right elements being blamed for exacerbating the disorder. The false claims published by Asif’s website were widely cited in viral social media posts, which played a significant role in the escalation of violence.
During his court appearance, Asif was charged with cyber terrorism and remanded into custody for one day. His arrest highlights the increasing scrutiny on individuals and platforms that spread false information online, particularly when such content leads to real-world violence and unrest.
The case underscores the growing concern over the role of online disinformation in inciting violence and the need for stronger measures to combat the spread of harmful content. As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to focus on the broader implications of digital platforms that prioritize profit over accuracy and the legal consequences for those who exploit such platforms for personal gain.
