Muscat: The court’s ruling, issued on January 8, 2026, followed an investigation by the Royal Oman Police and Public Prosecution into a December 25, 2025 incident in the Sa’al area of the Wilayat of Bidbid. Authorities reported that the group had gathered illegally near a company-owned residential complex, engaging in acts of vandalism against company property, tents, and buses, and inciting further disruption.
The 59 individuals were charged under several provisions, including:
Article (123) of the Penal Code: inciting and encouraging a gathering,
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Article (121): participating in a disruptive public gathering,
Article (367): damage to public and private property,
Article (19) of the Cybercrime Law: using information technology to disseminate harmful material.
Sentences ranged from three months to one year, increasing progressively for repeat offenses. The court also ordered the confiscation of phones used in publishing and incitement, and mandated that sentences for individuals with multiple charges be combined under the harshest applicable term.
In addition to imprisonment, all convicted individuals are to be permanently deported from Oman, and the court’s verdict will be made public. Meanwhile, 23 defendants were acquitted due to lack of evidence linking them directly to the offenses.
