{"id":467659,"date":"2018-02-26T11:32:52","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T11:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ghana-mma.com\/2018\/02\/26\/tanzanian-mp-sentenced-for-defaming-magufuli\/"},"modified":"2018-02-26T11:32:52","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T11:32:52","slug":"tanzanian-mp-sentenced-for-defaming-magufuli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2018\/02\/26\/tanzanian-mp-sentenced-for-defaming-magufuli\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanzanian MP ‘sentenced for defaming Magufuli’"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"
President Magufuli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Renault\"\/<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A Tanzanian opposition MP has been handed a five-month prison sentence after being found guilty of defaming President John Magufuli, The Citizen news site reports.<\/p>\n

Joseph Mbilinyi \u2013 popularly known as Sugu \u2013 from the opposition Chadema party, was convicted by a magistrate\u2019s court in the southwestern town of Mbeya.<\/p>\n

His co-accused, Emmanuel Masonga, was handed a similar prison sentence.<\/p>\n

The two were accused of committing \u201chate speech\u201d against President Magufuli at Mwenge Primary School in Mbeya on 30 December last year.<\/p>\n

Mbilinyi earlier urged his supporters to remain calm and accept any form of court judgment.<\/p>\n

Observers say the ruling will deepen concerns that Mr Magufuli\u2019s intolerance of dissent is eroding Tanzanian democracy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Source: BBC<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\"Homepage<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n