Dar es Salaam, 06 July 2024 - Tanzanian portrait artist Shadrack Choula has been sentenced to two years in prison for burning an effigy of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and making insulting comments in a video. The BBC reported the information on Saturday, July 6.

The 24-year-old artist has also been fined $2,000 for cybercrime offenses. Choula's actions, which included burning a photo of President Hassan, have led to significant legal and social controversy within Tanzania.

The artist’s arrest has sparked a heated debate among legal experts in the country. Some lawyers argue that Choula did not violate any laws by burning the picture. The case has also garnered substantial support on social media, with users advocating for Choula's right to free expression. A campaign has been initiated to raise funds to cover Choula's fine.

In 2018, Tanzania introduced stringent legislation aimed at curbing the spread of 'fake news.' Critics at the time warned that the law could be used to suppress freedom of speech. The recent sentencing of Choula appears to underscore these concerns, as many view the punishment as a direct attack on free expression.