By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A Tanzanian portrait artist, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of $2,000 (£1,600) after he was accused of burning a photo of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Shadrack Chaula was found guilty of cybercrimes.
He was arrested for allegedly recording a viral video, showing
He had filmed the scene of him burning the picture of the President, while verbally insulting her, a clip that went viral on social media, prompting his arrest by authorities.
Chaula, 24 had admitted committing the crime and failed to defend his action in court, local media reports.
Heritage Times HT reports that his arrest sparked legal controversy as some lawyers argue that no law was broken in burning of the President’s picture.
Some social media users have started an online campaign to raise money to pay Chaula’s fine so he can be freed from jail.
Our correspondent understands that Tanzania had earlier enacted tough laws against the spread of “fake news”, which critics see as a way of curbing freedom of expression.
Chaula used “strong words” against the President in the video he posted on his TikTok account on 30 June in Ntokela village, in the south-western city of Mbeya, police alleged.
Local police chief Benjamin Kuzaga on Tuesday told journalists that the artist’s offences included burning the president’s portrait and disseminating offensive content online.
“It is not the culture of Mbeya people to insult our national leaders,” Kuzaga said.
Some lawyers said there was no law that criminalises burning a picture of the president.
“Was the picture taken by a government photographer? Let them come out publicly and explain their impact on society and the nation. Who can show the law that burning a picture is an offence?” lawyer Philip Mwakilima told the Mwananchi newspaper.
On Thursday, magistrate Shamla Shehagilo found Chaula guilty of distributing videos on TikTok that contained false information in violation of the country’s cyber laws.
The court ruled that his actions constituted cyber-harassment and incitement.
Chaula remained silent when given the chance to defend himself against the charges, local media reported.
The prosecutor had urged the court to impose a harsh penalty on him in order to deter others from “disrespecting” the president.
