Oman – Judicial prosecution against journalist Mr A’sem Al-Sheedi for writing on police corruption

A’sem Al-Sheedi

On 8 December 2009, the general director of the Police and Customs in Oman submitted a penal suit against Mr A’sem Al-Sheedi, accusing him of denouncing the police in an article published in Oman newspaper on 7 December 2009. A’sem Al-Sheedi was summoned by the Prosecution Office on 12 December 2009 and charged with "slander against the police apparatus" and "false testimony", for refusing to reveal his source of information.

In his suit, the general director of the police said that A’sem Al-Sheedi should reveal his source of information, otherwise he whould be prosecuted according to the law. According to the source, A’sem Al-Sheedi is under mounting pressure to reveal his source of information. According to the Omani Law, in such a case, the chief editor of the newspaper is an equal partner in the “crime”. However, in this case, the editor of Oman newspaper which published the article has not been accused or summoned by the police or the Public Prosecution. Oman newspaper is a semi-official newspaper and the chair of its board is appointed by an order by the Sultan “the head of state”.

It is worth noting that the Public Prosecution in Oman is part of the Police and Customs, which is headed by Malek Bin Suliman Al-Me’mary. The latter was involved in cases against many activists and journalist in Oman, including the six-month imprisonment of Ms Taiba Al-Mawali, a former member of the Shura Council, for allegedly distributing information related to the detention and torture of a group of detainees in 2005, and the case against human rights blogger, Mr Ali al-Zwaidi, for publishing documents related to corruption and government control on freedom of expression in Oman, which Front Line previously reported on 20 March 2009.

Front Line believes that the prosecution of A'sem Al-Sheedi is directly related to his work in the defence of human rights, which Front Line sees as part of a pattern of ongoing harassment against human rights defenders in Oman. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of A’sem Al-Sheedi.

Front Line urges the authorities in Oman to:

1.Immediately and unconditionally drop the suit of charges against A’sem Al-Sheedi, as it is believed that these measures have been taken against him solely on account of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defense of human rights;

2.Take all necessary measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of A’sem Al-Sheedi;

3.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Oman are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.