Dubai--An Omani court will deliver its verdict next month in the trial of an activist accused of sowing unrest in the normally stable Gulf nation, a local rights group said Monday.
The Omani Observatory for Human Rights said Saeed Jaddad appeared in a Muscat court on Sunday for the fourth hearing in his case, adding that the verdict is expected on March 8.
He is accused of "undermining the status and prestige of the state" in his calls for political and social reform in Oman and during a meeting he had with members of the European Parliament in 2013, according to Amnesty International.
The Observatory said Jaddad is also accused of calling for rallies and "incitement against the government" through posts on social media ahead of the anniversary of 2011 protests in his hometown of Salalah.
The gatherings were part of demonstrations that broke out in the usually calm sultanate of Oman taking their cue from Arab Spring uprisings.
The protests prompted long-term ruler Sultan Qaboos to reshuffle his government and expand the consultative assembly.
Amnesty last month warned Jaddad's health was "seriously deteriorating" after he went on hunger strike following his arrest.
He was hospitalised on January 23, before being returned to custody.
The prominent activist and blogger, described by Amnesty as a "prisoner of conscience" was originally arrested in December last year.
Scores of activists have been convicted of defaming or using social media networks to insult the sultan, who has ruled for 44 years.
Others have either been convicted or are being tried for taking part in demonstrations calling for political reform.
afp
