Retired Major YouTuber Adil Raja Arrested in London for Inciting Hatred against State Institutions
London: According to reports from news channels, YouTuber Major (retd) Adil Raja has allegedly been arrested in London on charges of inciting hatred against state institutions. Raja, known for his pro-PTI stance, was reportedly conducting a provocative campaign against state institutions from the British capital.
Sources reveal that Raja’s arrest came after a case was registered against him at Ramna police station in Islamabad, accusing him of promoting extremism, spreading hatred, and disseminating anti-state propaganda through his vlogs.
While the news of his arrest remains unverified independently, media reports state that Raja’s lawyer mentioned being unable to contact him as his phone was switched off.
Last year, Raja had relocated to London amidst reports of him going “missing” from Islamabad. In response to the rumors surrounding his arrest, Raja took to Twitter, assuring his well-being and expressing his unwavering commitment to raising a voice against fascism and advocating for democracy in Pakistan.
Raja emphasized the importance of peaceful protests and called for free and fair elections as the path to political and economic stability in Pakistan. He urged that criticism of individuals should never undermine the institutions, emphasizing the vital role institutions play in the success of the country.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, a case has been registered in the federal capital against journalists Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada, among others, on charges of sedition and terrorism. The case was filed by Citizen Majid Mahmood, accusing the individuals of inciting attacks on military installations through video messages on May 9.
Mahmood claimed that a group of 15 to 20 people were incited for terrorism using the suspects’ video messages, with the protesters allegedly taking instructions from Shakir, Pirzada, and others to spread terrorism. The complainant further alleged that the suspects, residing in foreign countries, were acting as agents of hostile agencies against Pakistan and aimed to foster terrorism within the nation by instigating rebellion among military personnel.
The developments surrounding Raja’s arrest and the sedition case against Shakir and Pirzada have garnered significant attention, raising concerns about the boundaries of freedom of speech and the role of media in the country.