Ana da Silva Miguel, the TikTok sensation better known as Neth Nahara, the social media sensation, has been handed a jaw-dropping two-year prison sentence for the unthinkable crime of “insulting” Angola’s head honcho, President João Lourenço. But wait, there’s more!
This surreal saga began with a seemingly light six-month sentence back in August, which, as it turns out, was far too forgiving for the prosecution’s liking.
So, what did they do? They decided to play hardball and upped the ante, landing Neth Nahara with a whopping two years to contemplate her TikTok opinions in the confines of a prison cell.
Now, you’re probably wondering, “How on earth did she insult the president?” Brace yourself.
With her substantial TikTok following of over 230,000 loyal fans, she had the audacity to accuse the President of being responsible for “anarchy, disorganization, and leading a retrogressive Government.” But wait, there’s more!
She didn’t stop there. Neth Nahara dared to shine a spotlight on the lack of schools, housing, and jobs in Angola, a nation blessed with vast resources.
Evidently, not everyone appreciates unfiltered truth-telling. In Kenya, politicians often resort to social media silence, concocting falsehoods, or launching counterattacks during rallies when faced with such allegations.
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Now, here’s where it gets truly unbelievable. The court deemed her words as “offensive” (perhaps they need a lesson in sass) and acknowledged her significant influence on public opinion.
As if a two-year prison term wasn’t enough, she was also slapped with a $1,200 fine for the “damage” caused to the President’s reputation.
Neth Nahara attempted to appeal her sentence, citing that she was a first-time offender, expressed remorse for her statements, and was a mother to young children. Yet, her pleas fell on deaf ears.
President João Lourenço, securing a second term in a nail-biting election last year, has presided over his party’s decades-long rule.
The MPLA Party has held power in Angola since 1975, and it seems that in this bizarre TikTok-mentary, free speech has its limits in the land of black gold.
