6 activists to the prison due to charges of insulting the Sultan and adjourning the prosecution of 5 others, due to the same charges.

The national TV broadcasts photographs for the activists in the prison costumes, violating the law

Cairo July 17, 2012

ANHRI denounces Oman for sentencing 6 of human rights of activists, for terms of 12 and 18 months on charges of insulting the Sultan. ANHRI said that “the latest sentences, some other activists in the prison and the continuation of prosecuting others, implies that Oman races the time to occupy an advanced positions in freedom violations”.

The  court of first instance in “Khowair” has sentenced, the Photographer “Muhamed El-Habsi”, “AbdullAh-El-Erimi” and “Abdul-bin-Salem El-Siabi”, by one year for insulting the character of the Sultan. It also sentenced “Taleb El-Ibri”, university student “Mohamed El-Badi” and the female university student “Mona Sohil Hardan”, by one and half year, for insulting the character of the Sultan. They were sentenced of one year for insulting the character of the Sultan, in addition to a six months due to charges of violating the information law as well as a fine of 1000 RO (2600 USD), per defendant, in addition to the bond of (1000 RO) until the appealing date of September 15.

“the three activists who were sentenced to year and six months, will be released after one year, because the Omani law stipulates that the greater penalty shall revoke the minor penalty” local activists mentioned to ANHRI.

In an unprecedented and offensive move, the Omani authorities published photographs of six activists in the prison’s costumes in the Oman News Agency, and the national television, although activists have an opportunity to appeal and obtain acquittals. The publishing of such photographs violates article no. 30 of the Press and Publications in the media Law.

ANHARI said “publishing of such photographs, is a continuous attempt of the Omani authorities to tarnish the image of the activists and strike fear in the hearts of any young man trying to oppose the rulers.” That photographs was published after the prosecution described the activists as a  group of the leading vandals and abusers in the country.

In same regard, the trial of five other activists accused of insulting the Sultan, adjourned to July 25, 2012.. They inculde “Bassam Abu- Qasyda”, “Hilal Al-Busaidi,”, “Rashid Al-Badi”, “Essa Masoudi” and “Amina Al-Saadi”.

ANHRI said “The sentences against the six activists added to  the Omani authorities violation of the freedom of opinion and expression. These violations doubled the other day after a day to catch up a position with the Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as the freedom most suppressive countries”

Oman has issued, last week, sentences against a number of activists on similar charges and there is a list full of detainees who are awaiting their turn to be prosecuted, after they were arrested last month due to organizing and inviting to a peaceful demonstrations of solidarity with the prisoners of opinion via the social networks.

ANHRI called for the immediate release of all prisoners of opinion and the political detainees in prisons of Oman.

ANHRI stressed on “the necessity that the Omani public prosecutor shall be full independent of Oman Omani authorities, to prove its integrity and is not used by the regime of Oman as a tool to silence the opponents and opinion makers.”