Lahore man cleared of UK riot charges
Farhan Asif, who ran a web publication is escorted by the members of FIA outside a court in Lahore. Photo: REUTERS
A district court in Punjab's provincial capital on Monday acquitted Farhan Asif, an accused in a cybercrime case involving the spread of fake information online that allegedly fueled riots in Britain.
On Monday, the FIA's investigation officer told the court that after conducting an investigation, the agency could not find any evidence to establish Asif's guilt.
He stated that although the accused had posted a fake news report from his social media accounts, it was deleted after six hours. The accused, who was present in the courtroom, confirmed this in response to a query from the magistrate.
After hearing detailed arguments, the court discharged the accused from the case.
"He has been absolved in the investigation," said his lawyer, Rana Rizwan Akhtar, to Reuters TV, adding that the investigation agency could not find any basis to prove that his client was involved in any illegal activity.