Human rights defender Talib Al-Saedi and other innocent citizens are facing an unfair trial in Oman simply for peacefully expressing their personal opinions about the tragedy in Al-Amarat district, which resulted in the deaths of six members of one family.

On 31 December 2025, the Sohar Court of First Instance will hold a hearing to deliver its verdict against Al-Saedi for posting the following comment on his X account on 20 November 2025: “Truly tragic…the nation is grieving while the authorities celebrate,” using the hashtag #Younis_Family_Tragedy.

He has been charged with “publishing material likely to disturb public order” under Article 19 of the Cybercrime Law, according to the referral document issued by the Public Prosecution, a copy of which was obtained by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR).

Reliable local sources confirmed that dozens of innocent citizens are facing trial on the same charges for posting comments under the same hashtag criticising poor government performance.

On 30 November 2025, Al-Saedi received a phone call from the Special Division in Sohar, which is the ISS’s executive arm. He was summoned to the state police station immediately without any explanation, and was arbitrarily arrested upon arrival. He was released on 10 December 2025, on bail of 200 Omani Rials.

During his detention, he was interrogated by two members of the Internal Security Service (ISS) in an extremely cold room. He was denied contact with his family and legal counsel, prompting him to begin a four-day hunger strike. He was released after his health deteriorated.

For more information on his case, see here.

GCHR condemns the systematic pattern of repression persistently pursued for years by the ISS and its executive arm, the Special Division, and their ongoing targeting of human rights defenders and online activists, as well as their suppression of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression online and offline.

Recommendations

GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to:

1. Drop the charges against human rights defender Talib Al-Saedi immediately and unconditionally and put an end to his unfair trial;

2. Protect the public freedoms of citizens, particularly freedom of expression online and offline, and end the harassment of human rights defenders in Oman; and

3. Guarantee, under all circumstances, the ability of human rights defenders in Oman to carry out their legitimate human rights work without fear of reprisal and without undue restrictions, including judicial harassment.