The Sultanate of Oman Court Sentences 59 Foreign Nationals to Imprisonment & Life Deportation for Rioting and Vandalism
Bidbid Court Issues 2026 Ruling on Charges of Unlawful Assembly, Incitement, and Disrupting Public Order
Muscat, Oman – The Primary Court in Bidbid has convicted 59 foreign defendants on multiple charges including rioting, vandalism, and incitement, sentencing them to imprisonment followed by permanent expulsion from the Sultanate.
Court Verdict & Charges
In its ruling dated 8 January 2026, the Bidbid Court (Criminal Division) found the defendants guilty of four primary offenses under Omani law:
- Incitement to Riot (Penal Code Article 133): Inviting and inciting others to riot.
- Unlawful Assembly (Penal Code Article 131): Participating in a public gathering of ten or more that disturbs security and public order.
- Vandalism of Property (Penal Code Article 367): Damaging movable and immovable property belonging to others.
- Misuse of IT to Harm Public Order (IT Crimes Law Article 19): Using technology to produce or disseminate material disruptive to public order.
The court acquitted 23 additional defendants of all charges.
Sentencing Details
The court imposed the following sentences, to be merged with the most severe penalty applied:
- Incitement to Riot: 3 months imprisonment
- Unlawful Assembly: 6 months imprisonment
- Vandalism: 1 year imprisonment
- IT Crime: 1 year imprisonment plus confiscation of mobile phones used in the offense
Furthermore, the court ordered the lifetime deportation of all convicted individuals from Oman upon completion of their prison terms.
Case Background: December 2025 Incident in Al-Sual, Bidbid
According to the Public Prosecution’s investigation, the case originated from a report received by the Royal Oman Police on 25 December 2025. The report detailed acts of rioting, vandalism, and incitement near a company residential complex in the Al-Sual area of Bidbid.
Police responding to the scene found a large gathering of workers engaged in vandalizing company housing and facilities, and disrupting bus traffic. After the defendants ignored orders to disperse, they were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution, leading to the recent court verdict.
