JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 06, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
NEW YORK - Omani authorities this week arrested a second journalist from the Azamn newspaper. Zaher al-Abri, an editor, was detained without formal explanation in Muscat on August 3, according to his colleague and a local human rights group. He was arrested the day after speaking with CPJ about the case of Ibrahim al-Maamari, the paper's editor-in-chief who has been in custody since July 28.
Al-Abri was arrested after being summoned for questioning by the Special Division of the Omani police, according to an August 3 Facebook post by Yousif al-Haj, who also works for Azamn, and a statement published today by the independent organization, Monitor of Human Rights in Oman. The rights group added that before his and al-Maamari's arrests, Azamn had published a critical article on the Omani judiciary. Both al-Abri and the paper had also been vocal about al-Maamari's arrest.
"Oman authorities should immediately release Ibrahim al-Maamari and Zaher al-Abri," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Senior Research Associate Jason Stern. "Oman can hardly continue to claim the role of regional peace mediator if it is rounding up its own journalists and throwing them in jail."
The day before he was summoned, al-Abri had spoken with CPJ about al-Maamari's case. Police arrested the editor-in-chief on July 28 under orders of the public prosecutor, the paper reported. Al-Abri told CPJ at the time that the paper had received no official information about the charges al-Maamari faces or whether an indictment has been issued. Atheer newspaper, citing an unnamed source from the prosecutor's office, reported that al-Maamari was under investigation for charges including publishing false news, undermining the prestige of the state, and disturbing public order.
Atheer cited the unnamed source in the prosecutor's office as saying that other suspects were under investigation on the same charges but did not identify them, saying ultimate responsibility would fall on the editor-in-chief, al-Maamari.
Al-Abri also told CPJ that Azamn received an order from the Ministry of Information forbidding it from publishing further details on the case. In protest, the newspaper has published a blank space on its front page every day this month.
Azamn reported that the arrest of al-Maamari stemmed from a July 26 article, "Supreme bodies tie the hands of justice," which accused unnamed officials of influencing the Chief Magistrate of the Supreme Court, Ishaq Bin Ahmed Al Bousaidi, to intervene in judicial proceedings concerning an inheritance dispute. Al Bousaidi has not issued a public response to the claims.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to CPJ's email requesting comment on August 2 and 3. Oman's public prosecutor did not respond to CPJ's calls and emailed request for comment on August 3. Its embassy in Washington, D.C. had no one available for comment via telephone on August 3 and CPJ was told to send questions via email. CPJ did not receive a response to the email it sent that day. - Committee to Protect Journalists
Related:
Omani journalist jailed over article on judiciary
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.