MQM founder Altaf Hussain released on bail after brief detention in London

LONDON - The founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a Pakistani political party based in Karachi, has been released on bail after brief detention in the United Kingdom, where he is living in self-exile for past two decades.

The Crown Prosecution Service, which is responsible for criminal prosecutions in England and Wales, says they don't have enough evidence to charge the MQM supremo at the moment over incitement to violence in the South Asian country some three years ago. However, it adds, the investigation continues.

Earlier today, the Scotland Yard had requested the authorities to extend the detention of the MQM supremo.

Altaf Hussain was held at the Southwark Police Station, where the superintendent submitted a request for additional detention of 12 hours. The founder of MQM was arrested on Tuesday when Scotland Yard raided his London residence. Hussain was taken into custody over a 2016 “anti-Pakistan” speech.

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“A man has today, Tuesday, 11 June, been arrested in connection with an investigation into a number of speeches made by an individual associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Pakistan,’ reads a statement issued by London Metropolitan Police.

The police statement said that the man, who is aged in his 60s, was arrested at an address in north west London. He was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting offences contrary to Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007.

“The investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, is focused on a speech broadcast in August 2016 by an individual associated with the MQM movement in Pakistan as well as other speeches previously broadcast by the same person. Throughout the investigation, officers have been liaising with Pakistani authorities in relation to our ongoing enquiries,” reads the police statement.

This is a developing story and will be updated soon.