Muscat: The Criminal Court of Seeb reviewed a case on Sunday that was filed by Oman’s Ministry of Social Development against three board members of the Omani Journalism Association over abuse of office.
The Public Prosecution had earlier reserved the case but the Ministry of Social Development filed an appeal calling on the court to investigate the matter, according to Al Balad News site.
The office-bearers in the dock are the association’s chairman, vice-chairman and secretary.
Mohammad Ebrahim, the defence lawyer, pleaded for the acquittal of all the defendants arguing that the association’s funds could be considered private. He added that, as per the NGOs law, the role of the Ministry of Social Development is limited to administrative supervision alone and not financial control.
The defence lawyer pointed out that the a number of members of the Oman Journalism Association have benefited from training courses provided by the association.
The case has been adjourned to February 7.