A Pakistani judge has acquitted a man accused of spreading false information that allegedly led to riots across the UK

Farhan Asif, a 32-year-old freelance web developer, was arrested during a raid on his residence in Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province. 

He was charged with cyberterrorism, but the judge ordered his release after a hearing on Monday, citing a lack of evidence to support the claim that he intentionally spread false information. 

Asif informed the judge that he removed his social media post six hours after realising it was inaccurate. 

The Federal Investigation Agency had charged Asif with disseminating false information on YouTube and Facebook regarding the British teenage suspect in a stabbing incident that resulted in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to 10 other individuals during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, north-west England, on July 29.