A young Tanzanian portrait artist who was convicted of cybercrime last week has been released from prison after social media users paid almost $2,000 (£1,600) to cover his fine.
The artist, Shadrack Chaula was ordered by a judge to pay the fine or face two years in prison after admitting to making a video that went viral on social media in which he burned a portrait of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and insulted her.
“Thank you very much, fellow Tanzanians, for coming to my rescue,” Mr. Chaula told journalists shortly after his release on Monday.
The case aroused outrage in the country, with some lawyers claiming the 24-year-old painter did not violate any laws by burning the painting.
Police said he was arrested for using “strong words” against President Samia in a TikTok video filmed in Ntokela village, near the south-western city of Mbeya.
Mr. Chaula appeared in court last Thursday, charged with distributing false information against the president in violation of the country’s cybercrime laws.
The court decided that his conduct constituted cyberbullying and incitement. Mr. Chaula admitted to the crime.
Critics claimed the punishment was excessively harsh, but the prosecution argued that a harsher penalty was required to dissuade others from “disrespecting” the president.
Tanzania established strict regulations against the transmission of “fake news” in 2018, which opponents interpreted as a ploy to limit free expression.
Users of X, formerly Twitter, raised $2,100 in six hours, according to activist Godlisten Malisa, who organised the fundraiser.
Mr. Chaula was given the remaining $100 to support his artwork, he explained. In an Instagram post, Mr. Malisa said the contributions were a “lesson” for the administration.
In an Instagram post, Mr. Malisa said the contributions were a “lesson” for the administration.
Despite the fact that many Tanzanians were “burdened” by the high expense of living, they came to Mr. Chaula’s rescue, he claimed.
According to lawyer Peter Kibatala, social media users helped win the artist’surt release as well as freedom of expression.
After taking office in 2021, President Samia implemented reforms to offer political parties and civic groups more independence.
However, opposition and rights groups have raised concern that the government is reverting to more authoritarian tactics.
