The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned the ongoing custody of the two activists who are being held in the prisons of the Omani capital Muscat, at a press conference on Tuesday. The two activists, Ammar Al-Hanai and Ibrahim Al-Balushi, were imprisoned for their involvement in pro-democracy and reform demonstrations. According to the press release held by the ANHRI, the two activists were kidnapped by security forces whilst on the road in the Al-Masna'a area, north of Muscat on September 6. The two activists have been detained ever since, without any investigation or trial, they added. The state of their health has deteriorated significantly, according to the press release. The activists began a hunger and speech strike, objecting to their illegal detention and treatment. Both activists have been reportedly tortured both mentally and physically, being held in solitary confinement, denied sleep for long periods of time as well as being forced to stand for long periods f time. Al-Hanai is a 24-year-old activist which was previously detained illegally for his participation in the Sahar protests that erupted months ago in Oman. During this protest, he was beaten and detained for two months without investigation or trial. Al-Balushi is a 25-year-old activist who partook in the same protest as Al-Hanai, and was subsequently arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His detention lasted over a month and during this time period he was tortured and suffered from ill-treatment. According to the ANHRI press release, there are signs “indicating that these practices were encouraged by the Omani authorities.” “Detaining the two activists Ammar Al-Hanai and Ibrahim Al-Balushi for using their legal right to peaceful expression of opinion is considered to be an extreme violation against freedom of expression,” ANHRI stated. “[The Illegal detention] indicates that the Omani authorities have chosen the police solution, like its Arab counterparts to threaten the political opponents and muzzle their mouths, instead of listening to their legal demands of freedom of expression and democracy,” They added. The ANHRI is demanding that the Omani authorities release the two activists immediately and investigate the allegations of torture. “All Those concerned with freedom of expression have to expose such serious violations of human rights so that repressive authorities would not feel safe committing these crimes” ANHRI added. BM
