On 22 August 2016, the Court of First Instance in Muscat, held its second hearing in the trial of three “Azamn” journalists, during which the judge decided to disallow the publication of the trial’s details in the media, citing Article 29 of the Press and Publications Law. The judge also decided to release journalist Zaher Al-Abri on bail but to keep editors Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Yousef Al-Haj both in custody. The hearing adjourned to 29 August 2016.

While the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) welcomes the decision to release Zaher Al-Abri, once again it expresses grave concern at the ongoing detention of Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Yousef Al-Haj and the closure of “Azamn” on 09 August. GCHR believes that their targeting threatens freedom of expression in Oman.

For more information about the case of the closure of “Azamn” newspaper and the targeting of its journalists, please see: https://www.gc4hr.org/news/index/country/6

GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to:

1. Drop the charges against the three journalists, Ibrahim Al-Maamari, Yousef Al-Haj and Zaher Al-Abri, which violate the freedom of the press and their right to freedom of expression;
2. Immediately and unconditionally release Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Yousef Al-Haj, revoke the decision to close “Azamn” newspaper, and protect freedom of expression in the country; and  
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders including journalists, writers and on-line activists in Oman are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.