- Tanzanian portrait artist released from jail
- Chaula was arrested for making a viral TikTok video
- Chaula admitted guilt
A young Tanzanian portrait artist was released from jail after social media users raised more than $2,000 to pay his fine for a cybercrime conviction.
Shadrack Chaula was arrested for making a viral TikTok video showing him burning a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and insulting her. He was charged with spreading false information and inciting harassment.
Chaula admitted guilt and was ordered to pay a fine or face two years in prison. Many felt the punishment was too harsh, and critics say Tanzania’s cybercrime laws suppress free speech.
Social media users on X, formerly Twitter, raised $2,100 to help Chaula pay his fine.
“Thank you very much fellow Tanzanians for coming to my rescue,” Mr Chaula said after his release.
Activists say the contributions are a message to the government that Tanzanians value free expression. President Samia had promised more freedoms after taking office in 2021, but rights groups fear a return to stricter controls.
