Tundu Lissu

Lissu was arrested on 9 April 2025 after an opposition rally and charged with treason the next day over calls to boycott the elections. Amnesty also documented allegations of online publication offences. On 6 November 2026 he was acquitted of treason but convicted of incitement in the main trial; the outcome of the separate online counts was not established.

State of the evidence

Charges and verdict reported; disposition of cyber counts is unverified.

Legal status — source text

Treason rejected on 6 November; incitement conviction under challenge.

Attribution

Allegedly urging disruption of the 2025 election.

Course of the proceedings

1. 10.04.2025 Formally charged — Charged with treason after his 9 April 2025 arrest.

Tanzania’s High Court acquitted Lissu of treason, finding the required intent unproven. It nevertheless convicted him of the alternative offence of incitement and sentenced him to four years in prison. He disputed the allegations and his lawyers announced a challenge.

State of the evidence

Verdict reported by independent media; full judgment not obtained.

Legal status — source text

Convicted of incitement on 6 November 2026; appeal announced, not final.

Attribution

The court found that he encouraged interference with the 2025 election.

Lissu’s lawyer said the defence lodged a notice of intention to appeal on 7 November after the four-year sentence. As of 10 November, the legal team awaited the trial record and judgment before setting out detailed grounds. The notice does not amount to an appellate ruling.

State of the evidence

Counsel’s statements reported by Tanzanian press.

Legal status — source text

Appeal notice filed; no appellate ruling identified by 11 November.

Attribution

The incitement conviction remains in force pending appeal.