Muscat: recent detentions covered men of religion

Diplomats and activists in Muscat announced yesterday that the Omani authorities detained a group of Islamists during January over suspicion that they are campaigning for religious extremism in the country.

The activist in the field of human rights Abdullah al-Reyami said that among the detainees are university teachers, men of religion and government's employees. He added "according to our knowledge, in all less than 30 persons were detained.. They are Islamists but in contrary to those in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, they are not extremists."

One western diplomat said that less than 12 persons were detained. He added that press reports which talked about the detention of hundreds "are greatly exaggerated." Similarly, identical testimonies said that among the persons detained in the Sultanate are teachers at the faculty of education and Islamic sciences of Sultan Qabous University. According to unconfirmed information, this group had planned for attacks targeting Muscat trade and cultural festival which was opened on January 21st and will last for one month, as well as trade centers and oil establishments.