UK-based YouTuber and retired army officer, Major (retd) Adil Raja, has allegedly been arrested in London by British authorities.
The grounds for his alleged arrest remain unclear; however, it is being reported that he has been arrested for running a defamatory campaign against Pakistan’s state institutions.
According to the details, Adil Raja – who is also a Youtuber known for posting controversial videos – was summoned for questioning by the investigators for his alleged involvement in incitement to violence through YouTube and other platforms.
Sources confirm that Adil Raja has been taken into custody by police from the outskirts of London along with his smartphone and laptop. One more person has been detained along with him for investigation.
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) June 13, 2023
Media reports state that cases under anti-terrorism provisions are registered in Pakistan against Raja, and the government had earlier filed various complaints against him in the UK. Raja’s lawyer has said he has not been able to contact the social media activist for the last several hours.
Read more: Major (r) Adil Raja’s mother allegedly kidnapped
On the other hand, there are also reports claiming that Adil Raja has not been arrested as is being claimed by mainstream media. However, he was approached by UK authorities for questioning. Moreover, he himself has gone into hiding.
Why are Pakistani News channels running the news of Adil Raja's arrest, if he hasn't been arrested?
I hope someone from his family clarifies if he has been arrested or gone low key for a while?
نواز شریف اور الطاف حسین آج تک برطانوی پولیس کو نظر نہیں آئے؟ 🤔 https://t.co/bI14pxdOjG
— Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) June 14, 2023
https://twitter.com/mchohan/status/1668674452131905536?s=20
Nevertheless, the reports of Adil Raja’s alleged arrest have sparked a frenzy on social media regarding legal action against expat Pakistanis and how the diaspora should respond in such cases.
Maj. Adil Raja is Arrested in UK? or detained for Questioning by London Police? situation will become clear in the next few hours! Adil has done many irresponsible acts and developed powerful personal enemies within Pakistan, but it may mark the beginning of Law Fare against…
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) June 14, 2023
The reports of Adil Raja’s alleged arrest also triggered commentary on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and MQM founder Altaf Hussain living in London as “free men” despite having criminal charges levelled against them.
Adil Raja arrested in London.
It is good that he is arrested & will answer for his lies & hate.
Means we can follow/arrest criminals against the State.But why Nawaz Sharif & Altaf Bhai are roaming free.. If Adil can be arrested then these 2 are much bigger criminals against 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/UBy9DbFKaR
— Raja Shaheryar Khan (@_rsk910) June 14, 2023
Major(r) Adil Raja is detained by Scotland Yard UK from Luton to be investigated about alleged involvement in inciting violence against Pakistani agencies.
But, Remember Pakistan has no exchange agreement of accused or criminals with UK.
Otherwise proclaimed offenders "Nawaz…— Shafqat Ch (@shafqatmm1) June 14, 2023
Pertinent to mention that Adil Raja went to the United Kingdom last year following the ouster of the PTI government through a no-confidence vote in parliament.
The ex-army officer has also been very critical of the new government as well as the military establishment, accusing them of hatching a conspiracy to remove Imran Khan from power.
He has often been in the limelight for stirring controversy for instance, alleging that some actresses were used as ‘honey traps’ by the country’s powerful establishment.
Earlier, Overseas Pakistanis Shaheen Sehbai, Adil Raja and others were booked in Islamabad for inciting people to rebel against the state and attack defense institutions. The FIR stated that Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Raza Mehdi and others, who are living abroad, incited people against defense institutions and tried to create anarchy in Pakistan.
Read more: Major (r) Adil Raja sued by senior army officer for defamation in UK