Popular comedian Idris Sultan is in police custody over a satirical post on president John Pombe Magufuli. This is after he posted Photoshopped pictures of the Tanzanian president on his Twitter account.
Idris swapped heads with President Magufuli and posted the pictures on his social media pages as he wished him a happy birthday.
Kwa siku moja tukabadilishana kazi ili a-enjoy birthday yake kwa amani 😂🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/Ch10m4GW7i
— Idris (@IdrisSultan) October 30, 2019
Immediately the picture went viral, Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda ordered Idris to report to any police station near him. He is accused of violating a section of the cyber crime Act “Identity related crimes and Publication of false information.”
Many rights activists have criticised the law as infringing on freedom of expression. Taking to social media to support the comedian.
This tweet from @IdrisSultan about Freedom of the Press whereby he pointed out that silly headlines are a result of situation whereby journalists who cover sensitive issues "disappear" in broad daylight!
Idris is now held by police for a satirical post #IStandWithIdrisSultan https://t.co/KJ2GLh2IGE— Maria Sarungi Tsehai (@MariaSTsehai) October 31, 2019
Tumekuwa nchi ya kulizwa leo tena tuna msaani kawekwa ndani kwa namna tu alivyomtumia kheri ya kuzaliwa Raisi JP Magufuli, Tumeona wengine wakimwagia picha ya raisi maji ila wako salama why @IdrisSultan ?! je ni misimamo yake?! #FreeIdrisSultan #IstandWithIdrisSultan https://t.co/A7BxnXh3n5
— #ChangeTanzania (@ChangeTanzania) October 31, 2019
Ninalaani vikali unyanyasaji dhidi ya Msanii @IdrisSultan akifanya kazi yake ya kisanii. Ninataka Mamlaka zinazohusika zimwachie mara moja na kumwomba radhi kwa usumbufu https://t.co/5FsFpE8ANn
— Zitto MwamiRuyagwa Kabwe (@zittokabwe) October 31, 2019