Pakistani judge acquits a man over spreading misinformation that sparked riots in UK

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani judge on Monday acquitted a man who was charged with spreading misinformation that helped spark widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, officials said.

The decision came less than a week after Farhan Asif, a 32-year-old web developer, was arrested in a raid on his home in Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province, and charged with cyberterrorism.

After a hearing Monday, the judge ordered the release of Asif, who walked free. He told the judge that he deleted his post on social media only six hours after realizing that it was not correct.

Federal investigators told the judge that they had no evidence to prove that he was guilty of intentionally spreading misinformation, Rana Rizwan, a defense lawyer, told reporters.

The Federal Investigation Agency had accused Asif of spreading misinformation on YouTube and Facebook about the British teenage suspect in a stabbing attack that killed three girls and injured 10 other people on July 29 at a dance class in northwest England.

Farhan Asif, center, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, waits for his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Plainclothes police officers escort Farhan Asif, center, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, after his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Farhan Asif, second left, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, leaves with officials after his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Farhan Asif, center, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, is escorted by officials for his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Farhan Asif, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, leaves with officials after his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Members of media chase Farhan Asif, center, a freelance web developer who was arrested and charged with cyber terrorism for his alleged role in spreading misinformation that led to widespread rioting in the U.K. earlier this month, as he leaves with officials after his court appearance, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the long-awaited hearing into Manchester City's alleged financial breaches begins on Monday.

The Premier League champion faces more than 100 charges ranging over a nine-year period when it was trying to establish itself as the biggest force in English soccer. The hearing into the charges will be held by an independent commission, which will be made up of three judges appointed by a lawyer who chairs the league’s judicial panel.

City denies the charges and Guardiola said Friday that he welcomed the chance to clear the club's name. The hearing will be held behind closed doors, and a verdict is not expected until next year.

“I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumors," he told a news conference. "We’re going to see. I know what people are looking for. I know what they are expecting, I know what I read for many, many years. ... Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”

The charges, which were made in February last year, came after a four-year investigation. The alleged breaches have hung over City at a time when it has cemented its place as one of the leading clubs in world soccer — winning the Champions League for the first time in 2023 and securing an unprecedented fourth straight league title last season.

City was accused by the league of providing misleading information about its finances from 2009-18 after being bought by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in 2008. In that time City signed some of the world's leading players like Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne and won three league titles — in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

Guardiola was hired in 2016 and has overseen the most successful period in the club's history, including winning the treble of the league, Champions League and FA Cup in '23. City has won the title in six of the last seven years.

The club’s exorbitant spending has provided the foundation for that unprecedented success, and prompted questions about whether anyone can halt its dominance.

The league has financial fair play rules designed to ensure clubs essentially spend what they earn from deals that are assessed for being at legitimate market value.

The charges came after an extensive investigation and the publication of leaked emails and documents, likely hacked, that were published starting in 2018 by German magazine Der Spiegel. The documents allegedly showed attempts to cover up the source of City's income in a bid to comply with Financial Fair Play rules operated by European soccer's governing body UEFA and the Premier League.

City was also accused of breaches relating to its alleged failure to co-operate with the investigation.

Potential punishments could include a fine, points deduction, nullification of titles or even expulsion from the England's top division, according to league rules.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola waves supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Manchester City at the London Stadium in London, England, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola greets supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Manchester City at the London Stadium in London, England, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)