Tanzania enacted a tough law in 2018 aimed at curbing the spread of “fake news,” which critics see as a way to curb free expression.
Police said Chawla used “strong language” towards the president in a video posted to his TikTok account on June 30 in the town of Ntokela in the southwestern city of Mbeya.
Local police chief Benjamin Khujaga told reporters on Tuesday that the artist's crimes included burning a portrait of the president and distributing offensive material online.
“It is not in the Embaya culture to insult our national leader,” Mr Kujaga said.
Some lawyers said there is no law that makes burning a picture of the president a crime.
“Was that photo taken by a government photographer? Let them come out and explain the impact they have had on society and the country. Who can show the law that burning the photo is against the law?” lawyer Philip Mwakilima told Mwananchi newspaper.
But in Tanzania, it is considered unethical and has sparked public outrage.
On Thursday, Judge Shamra Shehagi found Chawla guilty of sharing a video containing false information on TikTok in violation of the country's cyber laws.
The court ruled that his actions amounted to cyberbullying and incitement.
According to local media, Chawla remained silent even when given the chance to defend himself.
Prosecutors urged the court to give him a harsh punishment to deter others from “treating the president disrespectfully.”
Some social media users started an online campaign to raise money to pay Chawla's fine and get him released from jail.
The case sparked controversy nationwide, with critics arguing that the ruling was too harsh and reflected the government's crackdown on dissent.
President Hassan, who came to power in 2021, introduced reforms that opened up political and civic space.
But opposition parties and human rights groups have expressed concern that the country is retreating into regressive policies.
