(Credit: Flickr: VectorPortal)

Four people have been arrested “in connection with the circulation on the Internet of manipulated pictures meant to disparage” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete,” Tanzanian online news site the Citizen reported.

Three of the four were reportedly “picked up” from “the offices of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) in Dar es Salaam.” The four people haven’t been identified.

The Citizen reported:

“Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation Peter Kivuyo initially declined to comment, but confirmed when pressed further that police were holding several people in connection with the matter.

“’Yes…it’s true, but why don’t you contact me tomorrow morning?  Contact me tomorrow morning.  I’m currently not in a position to talk about the issue,’ he said.”

iMediaEthics has written to the Citizen for more information and will update with any response.