Front Line is concerned following reports that human rights defender, Mr Ali al-Zwaidi, has been fined 200 Omani Rial and sentenced to 10 days in prison on 21 April 2009. Ali al-Zwaidi is a supervisor of an on-line discussion forum called “Sablat Oman”. He is a co-founder and a board member of the Oman Writers' Society and has been a writer in the Oman press since 1986.

Further Information

Ali al-Zwaidi has written, and initiated as a supervisor, articles on corruption in government institutions. Front Line previously issued an urgent appeal on 20 March 2009 concerning the possibility that might face a harsh sentence for publishing a document related to government control on freedom of expression in Oman.

On 21 April, the Al-Seeb Court in Oman announced the verdict in the trial of human rights defender, Ali al-Zwaidi. He was found not guilty on the first charge related to publishing information on Omantel, the main telecommunication company in Oman. On the second charge, related to the publishing on the Internet of a classified government document, he was found guilty, sentenced to 10 days in prison and fined 200 Omani Rial. However, he was released immediately as his time served following his arrest and being held on remand was already 11 days.

On 17 March 2009, Ali al-Zwaidi was initially brought to trial before Al-Hail Lower Court, accused of publishing the classified government document on the Internet. The document was attached to a memorandum distributed to government departments by the secretary of the Council of Ministers that regulates a popular radio programme called “This Morning”. This programme serves as an on-air forum where citizens discuss local affairs with government officials. According to sources, the document was a shock to the public as it revealed that the programme is not in fact broadcast live. The document states that government instructions regarding the programme include that all calls from people should be received and scrutinised before being answered by officials and broadcast, and that the programme should contain intermissions that reflect achievements of the government.

In August 2008, Ali al-Zwaidi allowed the publication of an article on suspected corruption within Omantel, the main Omani telecommunications company. He was interrogated and brought to court on 24 February 2009, accused of violating Article 61 of the Omani Communications Law which prohibits anyone from “using a system on a device or a means of communication to direct a message while knowing it is untrue or causes harm to a person or service”.

Front Line believes that the charges and sentencing of Ali al-Zwaidi are related to his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression and in combating corruption.