MUSCAT, Jan 10: A court in the Sultanate of Oman has sentenced 59 expats to prison on charges including rioting, vandalism, and the dissemination of material deemed harmful to public order, the Public Prosecution announced on Saturday.

According to the prosecution, investigations revealed that on the evening of Thursday, December 25, 2025, the Royal Oman Police received a report of disturbances in the Sa’al area of the Wilayat of Bidbid. The report stated that a group of workers had gathered near a company-owned residential complex, vandalized property, and incited others to join the gathering.

Upon arrival at the scene, police found a large crowd of workers engaging in acts of vandalism against the company’s facilities. The movement of company buses was also obstructed, and several vehicles were damaged.

Police ordered the group to disperse and cease the acts of vandalism. When the individuals failed to comply, they were arrested and questioned.

Following the completion of legal procedures, the defendants were referred to the competent court. On January 8, 2026, the Court of First Instance convicted 59 defendants of four misdemeanors:

The court sentenced the convicted defendants to three months in prison for the first offense, six months for the second, one year for the third, and one year for the fourth.

In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the confiscation of the mobile phones used in committing the publishing offenses and ruled on the permanent deportation of the defendants from the country.

In the same case, 23 defendants were acquitted.