Mascat - Arab Today
An Omani court on Monday released on bail one of three journalists on trial for allegedly criticizing the judiciary, the sultanate’s human rights commission said.
The three worked for the Azaman daily, which authorities this month shut down indefinitely.
During Monday’s hearing, the court ordered the release of journalist Zaher Al-Abri on bail, the Oman Human Rights Commission said.
But Azaman’s editor Ibrahim Al-Maamari and his deputy Yousef Al-Haj remained in custody, it said, adding the next hearing was set for Aug. 29.
The court ordered journalists and civil society representatives to refrain from publishing details of the hearing, the government body said.
Maamari was arrested on July 28, two days after the newspaper published an article which accused public officials of corruption and interference in judicial decisions. Authorities later detained his two colleagues.
The newspaper’s website displayed pictures of the three journalists along with a short notice that publication had been suspended.
Source: Arab News