Muscat: As many as 330 beggars, including 150 females, were arrested in Oman in 1,222 operations conducted by the anti-begging team of the Ministry of Social Development in June.
The ministry said the beggars took advantage of Ramadan, when people are more likely to donate to charity, to make quick money.
The majority of those beggars were arrested in Muscat as well as in South and North Batinah governorates.
Out of this, 84 beggars were Omanis (55 males, 29 females) and 246 expatriates (125 males, 121 females), according to the Ministry.
Thirty-one beggars were under the age of 12, including 15 boys and 16 girls, while those aged between 18 and 40 years, stood at 128, including 61 males and 67 females.
Moreover, 102 beggars arrested were aged between 40 and 60, including 64 males and 38 females, followed by beggars over 60 years which included 50 beggars.
As many as 213 beggars were arrested in Muscat, followed by 79 in North and South Sharqiyah, while Buraimi registered 28 arrests, Sharqiyah with 4 beggars and Dhofar with 3, Dhakilyah with 2 and Dahirah with 1 beggar.
Anyone found begging in public or private places shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than two months and not exceeding one year and a fine of not less than 50 rial and not more than 100 rial, as per Omani Law.
If the beggar is not Omani then he will also be expelled from the country. If an Omani beggar repeats the crime, he will be sentenced to no less than six months and no more than two years.
Also, anyone using children or other help for begging will receive a jail sentence of no less than three months and no more than three years, and be slapped with a fine of no less than 50 rials and no more than 100 rials.
The number of beggars arrested in 2014 was 835, compared to 612 in 2015.
