An appeals court in Angola has extended the prison sentence of a prominent social media influencer, Ana da Silva Miguel, also known as Neth Nahara, from six months to two years for allegedly “insulting” President João Lourenço on TikTok, according to a report by BBC.
Ms. Miguel criticized the president on her TikTok account, accusing him of causing “anarchy and disorganization” and failing to address issues such as education, housing, and employment in the country.
President João Lourenço, who was re-elected for a second term in a closely contested election, has faced criticism over his government’s handling of various issues.
The appeals court in the capital, Luanda, cited the use of offensive language against the president and her potential to influence public opinion as reasons for the increased sentence.
Ms. Miguel, a first-time offender and mother of young children, expressed regret for her comments but was ultimately unsuccessful in her plea for leniency.
In addition to the extended prison sentence, Ms. Miguel has been ordered to pay President Lourenço $1,200 (£1,000) for the alleged “damage” to his reputation.
Her case has drawn attention to freedom of expression issues and the limits of online speech in Angola.
Her lawyer noted that this was the first known conviction in Angola related to content posted on TikTok, and further appeals are not possible for sentences less than three years.
Angola is one of Africa’s biggest oil exporters, but most of its people live in poverty.
It has recently been hit by a wave of protests over the rising cost of living.