Hamad Al-Kharousi is an Omani human rights defender known for his activism in promoting civil liberties, freedom of expression and accountability in Oman. He has been actively involved in the defense of human rights defenders, prisoners of conscience, and peaceful protesters. Al-Kharousi is recognized for participating in campaigns advocating for political and social reforms in the country. On 9 February 2013, Hamad Al-Kharousi joined 24 other human rights defenders and activists, including Basma Al-Kiyumi, Bassima Al-Rajhi, Saeed Al-Hashemi, and Bassam Abu Qasida, in a hunger strike at Samail Central Prison. The strike was undertaken to protest the delayed ruling on the appeals they had submitted to the Supreme Court against the sentences passed against them. Reports from the GCHR indicated that Al-Kharousi’s health deteriorated during the hunger strike, leading to his transfer to the prison clinic due to exhaustion.

Al-Kharousi was incarcerated following the decisions of the Appeals Court in December 2012, which upheld prison sentences ranging from six months to one year imposed by the Muscat Court of First Instance in July and August 2012. The charges against him included defaming the Sultan, violating the cyber law, unlawful assembly, and disturbing public order.