Rights group: Oman reverses decision to close newspaper
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A rights group says an appeals court in Oman has overturned a decision to close the daily newspaper al-Zaman.
The Gulf Center for Human Rights says the court also decided Monday to acquit journalist Zaher al-Abri. It says deputy editor-in-chief Youssef al-Haj received a yearlong prison sentence and editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Maamari received a six-month sentence. Both remain free pending an appeal to Oman's highest court.
Omani state media did not immediately report on the court's decision.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The case against the daily Arabic newspaper began in August after it published an article alleging corruption in a court case.
Oman has been ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said since 1970. The U.S.-based watchdog Freedom House considers Oman "not free," though it often serves as a diplomatic link for Western powers to Iran.