FOREIGN MINISTRY CHIMES IN ON RECENT ARRESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MUSCAT 000231 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, DRL/PHD (J.DAVIS, D.ABRAMSON) STATE ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2015 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINS SCUL ASEC KVPR MU SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY CHIMES IN ON RECENT ARRESTS REF: A. MUSCAT 148 ¶B. 04 MUSCAT 2226 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4 (b, d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU/NF) As a string of security detentions continues to roil the political waters in Oman, the Foreign Ministry sent a note on February 5 to select foreign embassies offering clarification of the government's action. The MFA letter was adamant in denying any violent or terroristic intentions on the part of the detainees, citing instead their "illegal association against the national security" of the state. While the MFA claims the number of detainees is less than twenty, we have compiled a list of 22 persons thus far alleged to have been picked up by the authorities. Internet accounts about one recently released detainee suggest his demeanor has changed considerably following his ordeal. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The recent detentions (reftels) of Omanis in connection with some undisclosed "illegal association" continue to be the center of dinner table conversations around the country. The overwhelming tenor of Internet chatroom debate has decisively shifted away from speculation as to what mischief the detainees may have been up to and instead largely deride the government for holding these individuals without sufficient (in the popular view) cause. While a number of voices call for not jumping to conclusions about the innocence of the detainees, they are decidedly in the minority. -------------- Foreign Ministry Explanation -------------- ¶3. (SBU/NF) Following the Information Minister's January 30 remarks on the detentions (ref A),for which he continues to be widely panned, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 5 sent a diplomatic note to us (and apparently a select number of other embassies) offering clarifications of the police action and firmly dispelling any notion that the detainees had been plotting acts of terror or violence. The text of the note, curiously delivered in English, is below. (Begin text) Note on detentions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs In recent days there have been a number of reports in the media about detentions made by the Government of Oman since the beginning of this year. In support of the interview given by Information Minister H.E. Hamad bin Mohammed al Rashdi January 30, we are happy to offer some further clarification. Contrary to media reports, the total number of citizens detained is fewer than 20. To date none of these people have been charged with any crime. They have been detained because it has been established that there is credible evidence implicating the individuals concerned in illegal association against the national security of the State and its policies of modernity and development. In keeping with internationally accepted legal norms it would be wrong for the Government to announce details of the individuals concerned with this matter potentially or actually sub judice. Secondly, as Information Minister al Rashdi made very clear, because of the close knit nature of Omani society, it would be unjust to expose the individuals concerned to potential public humiliation and social exclusion until and unless good grounds for doing so are found. In addition we wish to make it clear that to date there is no evidence of any terrorist or international connection to these events at all. Those detained have not been found in possession of any weapons or explosives, and there is no evidence of any conspiracy to carry out acts of terrorism, nor is there any evidence of any connection with international terrorist organisations. Finally we wish to emphasize that we value and respect the work of leading international human rights organisations. In a few short decades Oman has developed with remarkable speed and effectiveness, as recognised by a number of international organisations, most notably the World Health Organisation, and in so doing the Government of Oman believes it serves its citizens very well. Our Country is guided by our constitution: the Basic Statute of the State 1996, which affords all our citizens the rights and privileges generally recognised by modern international norms. February 5, 2005 (End text.) ¶4. (C) MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi confided to the Ambassador February 7 that he was the author of the MFA note, deeming it necessary to make better sense of the Information Minister's poor attempt at explication. While Sayyid Badr did not go into greater detail with the Ambassador, the text's reference to the illegal association somehow threatening the policy of "modernity" lends further support to our presumption in ref A that the detainees may have been advocating a restoration of the Imamate (vice Sultanic) system of rule that was abolished in the 1950's. -------------- Speculation on Detainees -------------- ¶5. (SBU/NF) Sorting through the piles of Internet message board postings, we have produced the list below of alleged detainees identified by name by private citizens. While we cannot confirm the accuracy of the data, the degree of detail provided lends it a degree of credibility in our view. Noting that their number exceed 20, in seeming contradiction to the Foreign Ministry text above, we have also heard anecdotal accounts of numerous other persons detained for a few days and released. ¶6. (SBU) One of the listed detainees, Khalifa al-Mahruqi, has been subject of considerable speculation in recent days. Internet message board contributors in "Al Sablah" who claim to have paid calls on his family since his recent release after 24 days in custody report that he is a changed man. Saying he is normally active and talkative, several persons have reported that Mahruqi is much weakened by his ordeal and refuses to discuss it. These descriptions have led to speculation in the message board that al-Mahruqi may have been subjected to "mental stresses" during his detention. ¶7. (SBU) The following is our unofficial listing of persons allegedly detained as part of the government's crackdown on an "illegal association": (Start of list) Shaikh Muhammad bin Sulaiman bin Muhammad al-Shi'aili Preacher at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat region Chairman of the Islamic Culture Group at the Student Affairs Department, Sultan Qaboos University Originally from Ma'amor, Bahla (Dakhiliyah region). He has lived in Nizwa for 10 years and worked at Sultan Qaboos University since 1986. He has a BA in Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali bin Hilal bin Muhammad al-Abri Lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University Preacher at the al-Hamra Mosque Lives in Hamra, Dakhiliyah region Humud bin Mohammad bin Salim al-Rahbi Vision Inspector/Tester, Ministry of Health Lives in Bidbid, Dakhiliyah region Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Sulaim al-Rahbi Student, College of Education in Nizwa, Dakhiliyah region Shaikh Yusuf bin Ibrahim al-Sarhani Lecturer at the College of Education in Nizwa Sometimes preaches at the Izki Mosque Lives in Izki, Dakhiliyah region Mahmoud bin Muhammad al-'Azri He is from Izki, Dakhiliyah region Shaikh Said bin Sultan bin Muhammad al-Harthi Preacher at Wadi Nam in al-Qabil wilayat, Sharqiyah region Muhammad bin Salim bin Muhammad al-Harthi Employee at the Directorate General of Education, North Sharqiya region Said bin Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Saqri Preacher Shaikh Dr. Jabir bin Ali bin Humud al-S'adi Lecturer at the College of Sharia'a and Law, al-Musana'a, Batinah region Shaikh Muhammad bin Rashid bin Salih al-Gharbi Teacher of Quranic Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University Studying for his Ph.D.; lives in Suwaiq, Batinah region Saif bin Salim al-Busaidi Lives in Manah, Dakhiliyah region Salim bin Said bin Ahmed al-S'adi Preacher from Wadi Bani Khalid, Sharqiyah region Shaikh Salih bin Salim al-Rabkhi Ministry of the Royal Diwan, Director of Mosques in Bahla, Dakhiliyah region Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Sulaiman al-Saqri Works for state oil company Petroleum Development Oman Lives in Ghobra, Muscat region Shaikh Nassir al-Sab'ai Lecturer at the Institute of Shari'a Sciences Shaikh Khamis al-'Adawi Advisor at the Iftaa Office in Bahla, Dakhiliyah region Shaikh Humaid al-Yahmade Works at the Iftaa office Said al-Mawali Works at the Directorate General of Education in Izki, Dakhiliyah region Khalifa al-Busaidi Inspector of Islamic Studies in Manah, Dakhiliyah region Shaikh Salih bin Rashid al-Ma'amari Former Director of the Sultan Qaboos Institute for Religious Studies in Sohar, Batinah region Khalifa al-Mahruqi (reportedly recently released) Mosque Preacher in Adam, Dakhiliyah region Driver for Shaikh Humud al-Sawafi (End of list.) BALTIMORE