MUSCAT : Oman’s Public Prosecution has disclosed details of a case in which an Omani citizen was convicted over social media content that authorities said violated public morals, offended public decency and involved the inappropriate treatment of the national currency.

According to the Public Prosecution, the Court of First Instance issued its judgment on May 14, 2026, convicting the defendant, Shihab bin Ahmed bin Salem, an Omani national, of four offences.

The court sentenced him to two months in prison for committing an indecent act in public.

He was handed a further two-month prison sentence for appearing in a public place in a manner that offended public decency and was inconsistent with the traditions and customs of society.

For using information technology and the internet to publish content that violated public morals or decency, the defendant was sentenced to four months in prison. The court also ordered the confiscation of the mobile phone used in committing the offence and the closure of his account on social media.

In a fourth charge, relating to treating the country’s national currency with contempt, the court imposed a fine of RO 150.

The court ruled that the custodial sentences should be merged, with the most severe punishment to be enforced. It also ordered the confiscation of the device used in the offence and publication of the judgment.

The defendant subsequently appealed the ruling. On July 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal on procedural grounds and upheld the judgment of the lower court. However, it ordered the suspension of the prison sentence.

What investigators found

According to the Public Prosecution, the case originated after authorities detected a video clip showing the defendant performing dance movements described as indecent while wearing traditional Omani attire.

Investigations also found that he had filmed another person wearing traditional Omani clothing and subsequently published the footage through social media platforms.

The investigation further found that the defendant had handled Oman’s national currency in a manner considered disrespectful, including placing the currency on another person and displaying it in what prosecutors described as a theatrical manner.

Following the completion of the investigation procedures, the accused was referred to the competent court, which subsequently issued the convictions and penalties.

Public Prosecution warns social media users

In highlighting the case, the Public Prosecution stressed that freedom to use social media comes with a responsibility to respect public order, public morals and the values of society.

It urged users to exercise the same level of responsibility when producing, publishing or circulating online material, warning against content that violates public decency or contradicts the values and morals established in Omani society.

The Public Prosecution also cautioned against content that could undermine the identity and social principles of the community.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.