LONDON: Counter-Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) detectives arrested social media activist and YouTuber Major (retd) Adil Raja on terrorism charges.
Raja arrested on “Section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2000,” according to trustworthy sources.
Security officials said the YouTuber arrested “on suspicion of inciting another person to commit an act of terrorism wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom”.
Moreover, The retired military officer arrested for inciting violence inside Pakistan and for inciting others to commit terrorism or violence, according to sources.
While, Pakistani media reported that London’s Scotland Yard or Metropolitan Police arrested the retired Major and detained him in London. Security sources told that Raja arrested by the CTPSE unit after UK’s Central Terrorism Command requested his arrest based on Pakistani state authorities’ complaints.
Moreover, Raja arrested at home. He cooperated with the authorities and eager to interviewed. Moreover, According to insiders, Raja rejected terrorism charges in the videotaped interview and claimed as a victim of violence.
Raja received a three-month bail till September 2023. Security sources say the terrorism investigation will continue.
Terrorism charges
“The Terrorism Act 2000 sets out a series of offences that can committed abroad and tried and sentenced in England and Wales. As if they committed in the UK,” said leading UK criminal law barrister Umar Ali from Holborn Chambers. Inciting terrorism abroad Section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2000 criminalises overseas terrorism incitement.
“Encouraging terrorism outside the UK is a crime. They incite acts that would be murder or intentional harm in England and Wales. This offence carries the same penalty as the related offence. It doesn’t matter if the incitee is in the UK.”
The attorney further stated that The Terrorism Act 2000 requires a court to prove that a real or intended use or threat of serious violence endangered lives or public safety. This use or threat of violence should entail weapons or explosives or have been meant to influence a government or intimidate the people for political, religious, racial, or ideological purposes.
Raja’s lawyer Mahtab Aziz stated his client arrested due to Pakistani accusations to the UK.
While, Raja denies terrorism. “There have many rumours about me and my welfare,” he remarked after his release from police detention. Alhamdulillah, I’m fine. I will continue to oppose fascism and support democracy in Pakistan. I’ll keep supporting nonviolent protest as the only way to alter things. Violence is counterproductive, but a sea of nonviolent protestors can change things. Free and fair elections and ‘uninterrupted’ democracy are the only way Pakistan can achieve political and economic stability, which all Pakistanis want. Pakistan’s success depends on all institutions working ‘within their powers’ as required by the constitution.
