The Omani public prosecutor has demanded the conviction of three daily newspapermen on charges of insulting the justice minister and called for their paper, Al-Zaman, to be shut down.
The three - board president Ibrahim al-Maamari, editor Yousef al-Haj and design chief Haron Saeed - appeared in a Muscat court yesterday.
The charges concern a 14 May article in which Al-Haj alleged corruption at the justice ministry. He is also accused of "working as a journalist without a permit."
The trial was adjourned until 28 August to allow defence lawyers time to prepare their case. But the judge ordered the paper not to publish anything about the hearings.
The normally peaceful sultanate was caught up earlier this year in the protests sweeping the Arab world, with demonstrators taking to the streets in late February to demand improved living conditions.
A letter to sent to Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos, by the press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, voiced amazement at the charges and opposed the closing of Al-Zaman.
