Samia Suluhu, president of Tanzania, was the subject of false information that the accused guy was discovered to have published.
The individual was found guilty on three counts and given a seven-year sentence, with the option of paying a TSh 15 million fine instead (equivalent to KSh 780,000)
According to the Simiyu region court, the accused violated the Tanzanian Cyber Crimes Act of 2015
A Tanzanian man was found guilty of criticizing President Samia Suluhu on WhatsApp and will now suffer a seven-year prison sentence.
President Samia Suluhu at a past state function. Photo: Gershom Msigwa. Source: Facebook
Resident Magistrate Matha Mahumbuga of the Simiyu district found Levinus Kidanabi, also known as "Chief Son's," guilty on three counts of accusations.
He was held responsible for spreading false information on social media and defaming the president.
According to Mwananchi, Kinadabi is suspected of violating the third count by using the phone number 0764996612, which was registered in the name of Hollo Yonas, without obtaining permission from the appropriate authorities.
The state's representative in court, Daniel Masambu, stated that the defendant had established a platform on the messaging app called "Simiyu Breaking News," where he posted the alleged libel against Samia.
For each of these offenses, the accused was given a sentence of three years in prison with the option of a TSh 5 million (equal to KSh 260,000) fine for the first offense, two years in prison and a TSh 5 million fine for the second offense, and two years in prison and a TSh 5 million fine for the third offense, according to the state's attorney.
The court found that the defendant disregarded the 2015 Tanzanian Cyber Crimes Act.
Not the first Tanzanian to irritate the head of state is Kinadabi.
Idris Sultan, a comedian, was taken into detention by the police in 2020 after making fun of the late John Magufuli, who was president at the time.
Idris is alleged to have published a brief parody video of Magufuli via Instagram. Benedict Ishabakaki, one of the comedian's attorneys, claimed that Tanzanian police had been interviewing and examining his property for a few days.
"Which law he committed is unknown to us thanks to the police. However, based on the flow of their inquiries, it is evident that the problem might relate to a video he posted online "said Benedict.
However, the attorney revealed that they had been successful in obtaining bail with two guarantors for the comedian, who was to be released following the deposit.
Content created and supplied by: Engineer_Alexmuindi (via Opera News )
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