On 06 September 2016, the Court of First Instance in Muscat held its first hearing in the case against writer and storyteller Hamood Al-Shukaily on charges of alleged “incitement to protest.” The court decided to extend his detention until 27 September.

Reports received by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) confirm that the trial is being held in accordance with Article 19 of the Information Technology Crimes Act. He is charged under this law in relation to a poem he posted on his Facebook page in which he says the following:

“Nothing in front of you other than getting out
Come out once
Try to get out for the second time
As the square under your feet
Stepping on silence
Stood proclaiming your homeland
Break the fear and cowardice
Bread will come to you by itself
Hot and flavorful
You will not lose”

Al-Shukaily, a member of the Omani Society for Writers and Authors, actively participated in peaceful protests in 2011. He has published a novel, “One Cry is not Enough”, in 2014 in addition to five short stories and a book of children’s literature. Al-Shukaily works as a teacher of Arabic language.

On 14 August 2016, the Internal Security Service (ISS) arrested Al-Shukaily, reportedly in connection with his posts on Facebook about the arrests of the “Azamn” journalists and corruption in Oman. Reports confirm that he is being held in Muscat at the Special Division of Oman Police General Command, which is the executive arm of the ISS. He has no proper access to his family or lawyer, according to reports received by GCHR.

In other news related to the case of “Azamn” newspaper, on 07 September 2016, the Administrative Judicial Court in Muscat ruled that the decision of the Ministry of Information to suspend the publication and circulation of “Azamn” was invalid, and ordered the Ministry to pay the costs of the case.  The Minister for Information, in Ministerial decision number 80/2016, gave the order that “the publication and circulation of the newspaper by all means, including online, is not allowed starting on 09 August 2016.” See: https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/1331

However, reports received by GCHR confirmed that on the same day and immediately after the court ruling, again the Minister of Information again ordered the closure of “Azamn”, with immediate effect.

In addition, “Azamn” Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Editorial Secretary Yousef Al-Haj remain in detention pending trial. See: https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/1358

While welcoming the order to overturn the closure of “Azamn” newspaper, GCHR condemns the arrest, detention, and trial on fabricated charges of Hamood Al-Shukaily, as well as the “Azamn” journalists, in addition to their ill-treatment by the ISS. GCHR believes the case is part of a systematic trend adopted by the ISS which includes confiscating public freedoms and dismantling the human rights movement in the country.

GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to:

1. Drop the charges against Hamood Al-Shaukaily which violate his right to freedom of expression;
2. Uphold the court’s decision to allow “Azamn” newspaper to publish;
3. Immediately and unconditionally release Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Yousef Al-Haj in order to protect freedom of expression in the country; and  
4. 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.