Shadrack Chaula, a Tanzanian man who recorded and shared a video of himself burning a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been fined or face two years in prison.
The sentence was handed down after Chaula appeared in court on Tuesday and admitted to creating the viral video in which he burned the president’s picture while calling her derogatory names. The incident took place in Ntoleka village, located in the southwestern part of the country.
Chaula was arrested last week and charged with spreading false information and incitement under Tanzania’s stringent cybercrime laws, enacted in 2018. These laws are known for their harsh penalties.
The sentence has sparked a campaign by activists to raise money for Chaula’s fine, arguing that the punishment is too severe.
By press time a prominent social media activist had mobilised users on X (formerly Twitter) to reportedly raise $2,100 within six hours. The remaining $100 was given to Chaula to support his artwork, Malisa said.
His Lawyer Peter Kibatala commented that social media users not only secured Chaula’s release but also defended freedom of expression.
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