According to unofficial sources, acting upon the orders of the Public Prosecution, security forces showed up in strength and rounded up people who had staged sit-ins in Sohar and blocked access to business establishments as well as those who had forcibly closed many government offices. It was not immediately known how many people were detained but the residents of Sohar are reportedly pleased that normalcy is being restored.

Sohar had made international headlines in February when police used force to quell violent protests leaving at least two people dead.

The Public Prosecution in a statement said Tuesday’s action was being taken following complaints by the citizens about rioting, vandalism and breach of public order, and destruction of public and private properties and obstructing business transactions and easy movement of people on the streets.

A number of youth protestors had forcibly closed a number of governmental establishments in Sohar since Saturday. Offices of the Directorate General of Housing, Directorate General of Social Development in Sohar, Directorate of Education, Sohar Development Office, and directorates of the ministries of Social Development, Manpower and Commerce and Industry were not able to function properly due to these forced closures.

The Public Prosecution said that those detained would be given a fair trial and the judgement would be made public.

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