Interpol receives red warrant request for MQM founder

ISLAMABAD: Interpol has received Federal Investigation Agency's request regarding red warrant for the London-based founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

According to sources, the request for red warrant was received at Interpol headquarters located in Lyon, France. The document also included copy of a court order declaring the MQM founder a 'fugitive'.

The FIA letter also had copy an FIR registered against the MQM supremo in Karachi for delivering a hate speech and other documents regarding subsequent investigations into it.

Sources within the Pakistan Ministry of Interior say Interpol authorities are reviewing FIA's request, after which they will apprise the agency of their decision on MQM founder's red warrant. 

On February 7, the Interior Ministry approved the issuance of the red warrant for the self-exiled leader of the MQM.

The approval for issuance of red warrants for the MQM supremo was granted in a case registered against him with Karachi police over a provocative speech he delivered last year and for inciting people to violence.

An anti-terrorism court in Karachi has declared the MQM supremo absconder in the case. Besides that, he is also wanted in several other cases in Pakistan.

Scotland Yard sets up unit to probe MQM founder's hate speech cases

Scotland Yard has set up a unit called 'Operation Demerit' to investigate the various hate speech cases linked to the MQM-founder. 

The Scotland Yard on February 9 set up 'Operation Demerit' unit to look into speeches by the MQM founder. They said the unit will examine the MQM founder's six speeches including that delivered on August 22, 2016.

Earlier, there were two units working on the cases, but now a single unit will be looking into the matter.