Date : 02/05/2005
KUN0022 4 GEN 0232 KUWAIT /KUNA-LFX2
LAW-OMAN-TRIAL
Oman sentences members of secret group between one to 20 years
MUSCAT, May 2 (KUNA) -- Oman's state security court sentenced on Monday 31
nationals between one to 20 years in jail for organizing a secret banned
organization and plotting to overthrow the government.
A statement issued by the court said six of the defendants were sentenced
for 20 years, 12 for ten years, another 12 for seven years and one for one
year in prison.
A judicial source told KUNA that this type of trial is the first in Oman's
judicial history which was held in public and attended by the tribal leaders
of the defendants, their relatives and local press.
The trial started in April, where the court heard the suspects' indictments
and looked over the evidence presented in the official interrogations files.
The accusations were mainly focused on the individuals' participation in an
underground organization plotting to forcefully topple the regime and restore
the Emamat state in Oman, in addition to unauthorized possession and sale of
automatic weapons and ammunitions.
The secret organization is made up of eight masterminds planning their
movements and several small groups functioning in different parts of the
country attracting people by holding lectures and seminars.
Over 100 members of the organization were arrested in the beginning of the
year. (end)
ahr.hm
KUNA 021213 May 05NNNN