PromiÂnent ZimÂbabÂwean author TsitÂsi DanÂgaremÂbÂga has been found guilty of incitÂing vioÂlence while holdÂing a banÂner callÂing for politÂiÂcal reform.
The judge said the protest may have agiÂtatÂed othÂers and caused a vioÂlaÂtion of the peace.
DanÂgaremÂbÂga paid a fine of around $110 (ÂŁ100) and was spared three months in prison.
She pleadÂed not guilty at the triÂal, which has been critÂiÂcized as the latÂest sign of the govÂernÂmenÂtâs crackÂdown on dissidents.
OutÂside the courtÂroom, she told the BBC she was not surÂprised by her conviction.
In ZimÂbabÂwe, she said, âthe spaces for free speech and media freeÂdom are getÂting smallÂer and more crimÂiÂnalÂized,â she said, adding that she plans to appeal the verdict.
When PresÂiÂdent EmerÂson MnanÂgagÂwa came to powÂer in 2017, he promised to introÂduce reforms after decades of represÂsive rule by his preÂdeÂcesÂsor Robert Mugabe, but critÂics say litÂtle change. say no.
DanÂgarenÂbuga is one of ZimÂbabÂweâs most famous writÂers. Her novÂel This MournÂable Body was shortÂlistÂed for the 2020 BookÂer Prize.
ConÂvictÂed along with her friend Julie Barnes.
Two years ago, they walked the streets of the capÂiÂtal Harare carÂryÂing placÂards callÂing for politÂiÂcal reform and the release of two govÂernÂment critics.
The courtÂroom held its breath as the two women stood motionÂless as they received their sentences.
He was found guilty of incitÂing pubÂlic vioÂlence and disÂturbÂing pubÂlic order and morals.
The judge said they protestÂed on pubÂlic roads and the images were shared on social media, potenÂtialÂly proÂvokÂing protests from others.
If he repeats the offense withÂin the next five years, he will be senÂtenced to six months in prison.
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