A young Tanzanian who was convicted last week of cybercrimes burning a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan while insulting her has been released from prison after social media users raised more than $2,000 to pay his fine.
Police said they arrested Shadrack Chaula for using “strong words” against President Samia in the TikTok video he recorded in Ntokela village near the south-western city of Mbeya.
Shadrack Chaula was ordered by a court to pay the fine or face two years in prison after he admitted that his actions constituted cyber-harassment and incitement.
The case sparked an uproar in the country, with some lawyers saying the 24-year-old painter did not break any law by burning the picture.
