The Public Prosecution Department (PPD) issued a statement on public offences committed by individuals who violated instructions on containing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The PPD said its e-investigation team detected rumours that were circulated through social communication programs and that its probes led to the arrest of nine suspects.  Two lawsuits were transferred to the designated court, which issued a verdict of condemnation in the first case and awarded the offender a 6-month jail sentence and a fine of RO1000.  The second case is still under review by the competent court.

The PPD also issued arrest warrants against 11 more suspects due to their violation of home quarantine procedures. Held red-handed, the suspects have been put in institutional quarantine till the completion of their case files.

The PPD also received four reports via its website and Twitter account stating instances of violation of the Supreme Covid-19 Control Committee.  The reports cited cases of assembling for funeral ceremonies, congregational prayers and practising of jobs prohibited by the Supreme Committee.  The suspects have been put in institutional isolation, and some of them put behind bars pending their trials.

One of the reports filed to the PPD said that the suspects failed to comply with institutional isolation.

In the meantime, the PPD received 87 applications through its Service Portal and took necessary action in this regard.

The PPD would like to confirm the following:

-       That it will continue chasing suspects and taking legal action accordingly, and without lenience.

-       It appreciates the cooperation of all citizens and residents and their cooperation in reporting offenders.

-       Calls upon all individuals of society—citizens and residents alike—to stay as one bastion against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

In its statement, the PPD prayed for the health and safety of all people in Oman against all harm. ONA