Information received by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) confirmed that two journalists of “Azamn” newspaper have been jailed.
On the morning of 26 December 2016 authorities summoned journalists Yousef Al-Haj and Ibrahim Al-Maamari. When they presented themselves to the authorities in the afternoon they were transferred to the Central Prison to serve their sentences.
On 26 December 2016, the Court of Appeal sentenced Yousef Al-Haj to one year in prison and Ibrahim Al-Maamari to 6 months in prison, to include the time they have spent in detention. The court also revoked the decision to shut down “Azamn” newspaper which was issued by the Ministry of Information.
Reports confirmed that on 26 December 2016, human rights lawyer, Yaqoob Al-Harthi, who represents both journalists, appealed the verdict to the Supreme Court in Oman requesting that the two journalists be released until the case is considered by the Supreme Court which could take up to one year.
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
Again the GCHR urges the authorities in Oman to:
- Revoke the latest sentences against the two “Azamn” journalists, Ibrahim Al-Maamari and Yousef Al-Haj;
- Provide a secure environment for “Azamn” newspaper to do its journalistic work;
- Protect freedom of the press in the country; and
- 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.
