In Tanzania, an artist accused of burning President Samia Hassan’s picture has been sentenced to two years in prison with an option of a $2,000 fine.
This came after the artist, Shadrack Chaula, 24, was on Thursday found guilty of sharing videos on TikTok that contained false information, which violates Tanzania’s cyber laws.
Chaula was arrested for recording a video – which went viral – that showed him burning a picture of President Hassan while insulting her. The video sparked anger among the public.
Magistrate Shamla Shehagilo ruled that the artist’s actions constituted cyber-harassment and incitement.
The artist admitted that he committed the crime and could not defend the reason for his action when the court gave him the chance to do so.
In 2018, Tanzania enacted strict laws against spreading fake news.
Chaula’s case has been a controversial one in the country. Some lawyers argued that what the artist did broke no law in Tanzania.
Nevertheless, some social media users have started a call to raise funds to pay Chaula’s fine so the 24-year-old can be released.
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