On 10 April 2025, the Court of First Instance in the capital, Muscat, issued a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 500 Omani riyals against internet activist and religious preacher Talal bin Ahmed Al-Salmani, after convicting him of the misdemeanour of participating in a gathering. He was also sentenced to a second year in prison for the misdemeanour of broadcasting news and rumours that undermined the prestige of the state. The court decided to combine the two sentences and implement the harsher one, meaning the first sentence, which also included a fine, was retained.

The case against Al-Salmani relates to his active participation in a peaceful gathering held on the evening of 07 April 2025, in the capital, Muscat, in solidarity with the people of Gaza, where he delivered a speech in which he harshly criticised the government.

The Public Prosecution summoned him on the morning of 08 April 2025. He was immediately arrested, interrogated, and referred to the Court of First Instance. He was sentenced to prison after a summary trial that failed to meet minimum international standards of justice and due process, and he was unable to prepare his defence team.

Reliable local sources confirmed that the Internal Security Service (ISS) organised this speedy trial to send a message of intimidation and terror to all citizens planning to hold similar peaceful marches and gatherings.

Al-Salmani had previously been arrested on 09 August 2021, after submitting a memorandum to the Director of the Bousher Police Station in Muscat Governorate, which he signed, requesting a peaceful march on 11 August 2021. He subsequently recorded a video calling on citizens to participate in the march. He was not released until 13 October 2025.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) once again condemns in the strongest terms the arbitrary arrest and sham trial of internet activist and religious preacher Talal bin Ahmed Al-Salmani by the authorities. GCHR calls on the Omani authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, drop all charges against him, and refrain from targeting him and his colleagues in the future.

GCHR also calls on the Internal Security Service (ISS) to cease its systematic repressive policies and ensure the protection of citizens’ public freedoms, including the freedom of peaceful assembly.