Reliable sources confirmed to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) that prominent human rights lawyer Majid bin Abdullah bin Saeed Al-Ruhaili and social activist Dr. Hamood bin Khamis Al-Nofali were released on bail by the authorities.

On 08 November 2026, the Court of First Instance (Criminal Division) in Seeb, one of the districts of the Muscat Governorate, held its final hearing to consider the first case filed against Al-Ruhaili, which concerned personal opinions he published on his X account in 2025. The court acquitted him of the charges brought against him in this case.

The same court also held, on the same day, another hearing to consider the second case filed against Al-Ruhaili, related to his posts during a debate with Kuwaiti bloggers, following which the Public Prosecution brought several charges against him, including “insulting a sister state,” namely Kuwait. The court set 22 November 2026, as the date for a hearing to issue its verdict in this case. He was released on bail of 500 Omani Riyals, which was executed the following day.

For more information on the details of the two cases filed against him, see here.

In another separate case, on 19 October 2026, social activist Dr. Hamood bin Khamis Al-Nofali was summoned by the Special Division, the executive arm of the Internal Security Service (ISS), and ordered to appear at the Al-Khoudh police station in the capital, Muscat. He was arrested the following day upon his arrival.

Dr. Al-Nofali was referred to the Public Prosecution, which charged him with “violating the Cybercrime Law, insulting a sister state, and harming its relations with the country,” according to Article 26 of the Cybercrime Law, which stipulates a penalty of up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to 5,000 Omani Riyals. This is related to his opinions published on his X account, which has over 245,000 followers, in which he criticised the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

The court decided to hold the second hearing on 22 November 2026, and released him on bail of 500 Omani rials. He was only released the following day. Informed local sources confirmed that the authorities disregarded his family situation, detaining him for 19 days despite his disabled child’s need for his care.

Recommendations

GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to:

1. Drop all charges against human rights lawyer Majid bin Abdullah bin Saeed Al-Ruhaili and social activist Dr. Hamood bin Khamis Al-Nofali immediately and end their targeting;
2. Protect the public freedoms of citizens, particularly freedom of expression online and offline, and cease 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.