MUSCAT // Oman's chief prosecutor said yesterday that 26 dissidents who incited riots in Sohar would face trial.
The chief prosecutor's office named the leader of the dissidents as Khalfan Maqbali. "He formed a gang that instigated riots and violence in Sohar. He and 25 others will stand trial for violent misconduct," the office said in a statement. It did not say when the accused would go to court or the charges they are facing but did say many other protesters have been released.
On Friday over 100 security men sealed off the site of clashes that killed one on April 1, and stopped worshippers from attending Friday prayers, to prevent another protest.
Checkpoints were set up across the city with dozens of armoured vehicles blocking access to protest areas. Residents' names were checked against a list and access to mosques was restricted. A helicopter flew overhead.
Activists using e-mails and text messages had called for a Friday protest after up to 60 protesters were detained last week.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said has embarked on a series of reforms since protests began. He promised in March to cede some legislative powers to the partially elected Oman Council, an advisory body.