Gulf | Oman
Controversial Omani blogger released from prison, fined
Ali Al Zuwaidi, known as Bin Daris among Oman's Blogging community, was sentenced to a one month prison and fined 200 Omani riyals by a Primary Court in Muscat's Seeb district of Muscat Governorate but the former moderator of the Oman's Arabic Forum ‘Sabla's' politics and economy forum was set free.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 15:30 April 21, 2009
Muscat: Ali Al Zuwaidi, known as Bin Daris among Oman's Blogging community, was sentenced to a one month prison and fined 200 Omani riyals by a Primary Court in Muscat's Seeb district of Muscat Governorate but the former moderator of the Oman's Arabic Forum ‘Sabla's' politics and economy forum was set free.
“Ali had spent 11 days in detention and the judge suspended the rest of the sentence hence he was set free,'' Ali's lawyer Basma Al Kiyumi told Gulf News on Tuesday after the court passed the sentenced yesterday morning.
However, Ali was acquitted of the first charge brought against him under Article 61 of the Oman Telecommunications Regulations Act following a formal complaint made by Omantel's former Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammed Bin Ali Al Wohaibi. He was moderator for the forum in which an unknown Blogger posted entry accusing the Omantel CEO of nepotism and corruption.
Al Kiyumi said that Ali accepted the second charge of leaking a confidential Council of Ministers document that related to a radio program called "Haza Al Sabah" (This Morning). That show had provided platform for members of the public to criticise Government performance live on air until it was abruptly stopped despite its rising popularity.
The post about Omantel CEO first appeared on English OmanForum.com in July last year but was promptly removed as it was more of a loose attack on an individual rather than any substantial proof provided to back the evidence. It was then taken on the Arabic forum Sablat Oman (www.omania2.net) where Ali was the moderator thus the charges were brought against him.
“I have mixed feelings,'' Ali told Gulf News later but pledged that he would continue Blogging albeit with some more restraint.
“The judge in his judgement did say about freedom of expression but also added that it must come with responsibility and authenticity,'' Ali said, adding that henceforth he would be more guarded.
At the same time, he added, he would not hesitate to criticise.
Ali said that the trial period was tough and yesterday morning before the verdict, his blood pressure went up considerably. “I am relived now and (I) have already posted an entry on Sablat,'' he revealed.
He said that he was unlikely to appeal his conviction. On his acquittal, he said he was happy that the judge exonerated him. On possibility of Omantel or Dr Al Woahibi appealing against his acquittal in the first charge, he said that he doesn't see that happening. “Dr Al Wohaibi is no longer the Omantel CEO and I think the matter has ended here,'' he reckons.
He, however, wondered about the true identity of the Blogger Booz Allen, who posted the entry accusing and criticising the Omantel CEO. “I have feeling it was some insider and close to him and with excellent IT knowledge,'' he believes. The authorities' efforts to trace his IP address led them to Berlin as the Blogger had cleverly masked his IP.
“When the post was first blocked by me I was reminded of my belief in freedom of expression by the other Bloggers and I ran it,'' he says about the post that put him in prison for 11 days and had to endure the trial period.
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