http://www.dontvisitoman.com

First of all, let me inform you guys that the site above is apparently blocked by Omantel. You'll need to find your way to it.

Here's what it says on the main page:


Don't visit the Sultanate of Oman. Tourism in Oman is extremely dangerous.
Do not trust tourist information about Oman that you may have received from official sources.
Photo: Wild camels eating garbage in the streets of Muscat, the capital of Oman

WARNING: This is a serious travel advisory regarding tourism in Oman

If you are a tourist, traveler, bird watcher, scuba diver, honeymooner, fisherman, photographer, off-road adventurer, geologist, naturalist or other visitor planning a trip to Oman, think again. Tourists visiting Oman during 2005 (foreign nationals from Europe, Russia, and the United States) have been arrested, jailed, interrogated, refused contact with embassies, family and friends, and detained for up to six weeks in Oman without being charged with any crime or misdemeanor.

Valuable personal possessions worth many thousands of dollars, including cameras and video recorders, personal photographs and business records, laptop computers, cash and checks, radios, binoculars, luggage, GPS units and much more have been stolen from United States, German, Latvian, and Russian citizens by high-ranking Omani government officials.

Passports belonging to foreign visitors have been confiscated by Omani government officials for no reason, and tourists have not been allowed to leave the country.

If you are a tourist planning travel in Oman this could happen to you

Photo: U.S., European, and Russian citizens detained in an Omani hotel room for six weeks by government officials

Photo: A bug (listening device) hidden under a coffee mug and planted in a tourist's hotel room by Omani officials


Personal statement from a recent visitor to Oman:

"If you visit Oman, you may be arrested, cell phone confiscated and thrown in jail. Not allowed to call anyone including friends, help, attorney, embassy, consulate, family or anyone who may give a damn about you. You will not even know what you may or may not have done wrong. Not given the chance to defend yourself or even face your accusers. Not given a trial or a representative of the court system to at least give you a clue what's going on. The Omanis won't even tell your embassy what's going on until you are deported and black-listed for forever (forever is a real real long time).

The Omanis can, at their will, deem you guilty and deport you, just so these thieves don't have to give your possessions back. They do this to keep the publicity to a minimum so as not to harm their tourism (the next suckers to come along might be you!)."

— John B., United States citizen, amateur geologist, and tourist, arrested and detained in Oman for six weeks during 2005, without charge. All of John's personal possessions were stolen by senior Omani officials. Nothing has been returned despite an official complaint to the U.S. State Department.

This story is about a bunch of treasure hunters who visited Oman earlier this year or last year. From what I gathered, they were looking for meteorites and most probably lunar and Martian meteorites. Eventually they ended up near an oil rig site and the authorities captured them and were suspicious of their acts, so they were held for interrogation for a period of time.

I think they deserved what they got and even more, they can't just come and steal our national treasures without being questioned. The government should also be more open when it comes to the law (if any!) against collecting fossils, meteorites or any other valuable archeological findings by unauthorized geologists and thieves such as the ones who created that site and who were planning to sell whatever they find for a hefty price.

I urge all English Sabla readers to participate in this thread and correct all the negative and false accusations of those individuals, let’s prove to the world that Oman is not as described in that awful and discriminating web site.

We should just ignore this rubbish, this guy maybe a spy or something or just hates Oman!

We should just ignore this rubbish, this guy maybe a spy or something or just hates Oman!

To us, it is rubbish, but what about the people who never visited Oman before and were planning to?

Do you think the best solution is to ignore all that dirty publicity and stick our heads in a hole?

Thanks for the link,UnKnown. It clearly seems to be an isolated incident, and I'm sure there was more to it than these guys stumbling along to an oil rig. Besides, I'm sure these places have fences and 'keep out' signs, etc. so theres more to the story than that. Even if they were innocent meteorologists, they probably overstepped their boundaries in one way or another.

Would be interesting to hear the full details.

Ok, here's the story from that site: (it's too long, so i'm posting it in 3 parts)

Part 1

OMAN:
THE LAND OF TOURIST-TERRORISTS AND THIEVES
By John B.



For at least four decades the small country of Oman on the eastern most part of the Arabian Peninsula has been a destination for hundreds if not thousands of rock hounds.

My experience started in September of 2004 when I was shown a book and invited on a trip there. The book is an Oman book titled STONE TREASURES OF THE OMAN DESERT. It’s a guide on where to go to find certain rocks and different types of rocks to dig and collect in Oman. It not only has specific locations but pointers on making jewelry and displays for collecting them. I at the time being couched by my better half wanting assurances I would be safe and not in violations of any laws there. We did extensive internet searches and I actually called the American Embassy in Muscat and had a nice chat with a consoler. I inquired about rock hunting and safety of an American tourist. I was assured there were no laws pertaining rock collecting or at least none known and it was a very safe place to travel and enjoy. So I booked my flight with a local travel agent. I flew out of Phoenix the end of October 2004 and spent three weeks with my friends Ivan and Youri.

We rented 4wheel drive vehicles and traveled the country. Doing some camping and staying in available hotels while traveling. There was a customs search of my luggage both in and out of the SEEB airport in Muscat. The customs officials asked question on some of my gear. Particularly the metal detector I carried. I explained to them what it was and how it worked and what my intentions were with it. On departure at the end of our trip I also showed the rocks I had collected. There reply was it was OK! Using there famous Omani saying NO PROBLEM. I really enjoyed my trip there and I had a lot of fun with my Russian friends.

In February 2005 Ivan, Kasper and I discussed another trip to beautiful Oman. Kasper had the same reservations as I about traveling in that part of the world. But we assured him that it was very safe and used those famous Omani words. NO PROBLEM.

So again I booked my flight. Ivan had a few friends who wanted to join us and were invited. Kasper had a prior commitment to act as a geological tour guide in his home country Germany and our dates were set to his schedule. We emailed several car rental places in Muscat trying to reserve 4wheel drive vehicles but never received replies. We went thinking we wouldn’t have a problem getting them once there. Well it turned out there were none available so we spent our first three days calling around from our hotel room looking for 4 wheel drive vehicles. On the fourth day, March 16 we were able to rent two trucks which was enough to get us to Salalah were there were four more available.

Off we headed too Salalah. Salalah is a gorgeous small community on the southern end of the country. It’s a drive of approximately 1000 kilometers from Muscat to Salalah by main highway.

There on March 17 we rented the other four vehicles and the nine of us were split into groups for traveling. Each vehicle was given or had a two way radio and GPS so no one would get lost or could call for help if stuck or broke down. The radios were about two-mile capability in line of sight. The radios and GPS’s were also questioned and okayed by the customs agent upon entering the country. It amazes me about the radios that there would even be a concern about these since in most countries they are available as a child’s toys. We secured many supplies from local merchants and headed of sightseeing and rock hounding. Spending many nights camped under the stars and almost as many nights in small town hotels .On the evening of March 30 we made camp in the Ghubara region. Well away from the roads or oil works.

About 9:00 pm two vehicles approached our camp at a very high rate of speed. Once there they were in a very intimidating way and not familiar with any languages we speak demanded something. We tried to calm them down and co-operated as best we could with the language barrier. We showed them our passports and vehicle rental agreements. Invited them for coffee or tea, but they left about as fast as they arrived. We were cooking nine chickens we had purchased in Al Haima on our fire and they were welcome to some but they weren’t cooked at the time of there brief visit. By 10:30 in the evening our group was retired for the evening.

At 1:30 am the morning of March 31 I was waken by the sound of trucks heading towards our camp at a very high rate of speed. I sat up and was blinded by the approaching headlights. I stood up so I wouldn’t get run over by the idiots approaching camp. Low and behold it was a couple of the visitors we had earlier. Ironically a couple of our group didn’t like to sleep near our camp. They wander off into the desert to find a soft sandy low spot to make their bed and sleep. Luckily none of those guys or any other from our group was run over by these guys.

I tried to talk to these intruders but communication was poor at best. They wanted me to wake everyone. I was told there were bombs or landmines in the area and we weren’t safe. I assured them we were just fine but one of the men insisted we load up camp and follow them. So everyone was woken up and our camping equipment was loaded hap hazzardly into trucks and we were escorted to some buildings off in the distance. The buildings were in a fortress type configuration and we were brought in the main gate and told to park in an area in front of some buildings which we were shown around and told to make ourselves at home. We were given directions to the shower and toilet facilities. The large room we were given had a pool table and tennis table along with a television and cable and best of all nice soft pillows for sleeping.

Later that morning we were given pourage and dates for breakfast and the interrogations began. Kasper was the first interrogated then Ivan then Kasper again. All the time our cell phones were inoperable. They along with I asked for a call to our Embassy’s but were not allowed to make any calls. I was next for the question session we were all very open about what we were doing and inquired as if we had done something wrong. But we were never given an answer one way or another. These fellows were pretty cleaver in that when they wanted you to answer a question they were pretty good a speaking English. But when I asked a question they seamed as though I couldn’t speak English. We all told them of our experiences and were we had been and what we were doing.

I was constantly questioned about our trip to Al Duqm. I told them the only reason we had gone there was the diesel shortage their country was having. That we were almost out of diesel and it wasn’t much fun pushing diesel trucks through the desert. After Kasper, Ivan and My interrogation they ransacked our trucks. Taking out almost everything we had in them. Making nice piles of our gear, suitcases and rocks on the parking lot and demanding we stand next to our pile and point at it. While our pictures were taken. We were treated like criminals yet no would tell us if or what we had done wrong.

That evening around 5:00 pm we were told to drive our vehicles single file behind a lead truck and so we did. As we approached the main highway to head to Al Haima we were stopped. This is were a fellow named Halil walked from truck to truck and collected and kept our cell phones. We hit the main highway about sundown and followed the lead car to the police station at Al Haima. There we were given food and sat in an office for a couple hours then taken to some sleeping quarters where we slept.

We were woken early the morning of April 2nd and taken by bus to Muscat. These guys had the gall to ask us to transfer fuel from our gerry cans to the trucks. We again asked what we did wrong with no answer. So we told them to do it themselves. We didn’t want to ride in the back of a bus with guys smelling like gasoline or diesel. That seemed to cause the police a lot of confusion.

We sat there for a couple hours while they discussed their strategy (I can only assume that none of them wanted to suck on the siphon hose)!! It was one of the funniest moments of our trip watching the Royal Omani Police arguing over which one of them was going to suck the fuel hose. I guess there were no volunteers so we headed to the petrol station where the vehicles were fueled.

The bus ride to Muscat was long and uneventful. But there was one of my Russian comrades who either didn’t understand the orders given about giving up our cell phones or he ignored the command. While on route to Muscat while near cell towers he placed a call in the back of the bus. He called one of the Russian fellows’ fathers who is a Russian Politician.

To this day I’m convinced if that call wasn’t made we all would probably still be in prison in Muscat.

We arrived in Muscat and were taken to the Royal Oman Police headquarters in Qurm (Muscat). There again our trucks were parked and ransacked. We were taken to a large conference room. Most of our belongings, gear and rocks were brought in and we again were interrogated. As if we had not told them what we were doing.

Again we asked to call our embassies and enquired what we had done wrong. It was like talking to deaf people. At least we finally got to meet the ringleader Dr Salim Al Buisaidi. I don’t know what else these people wanted from us but I think they thought there was more to the story? Ivan and I got to briefly talk to this fellow. He requested that the items not be mixed especially the meteorites when Ivan was instructed to open boxes and suitcases. His conversation with Ivan was that they would have more time to speak. His conversation with me was a little more intimidating. He was demanding info on our last trip and wanted to know where our collection of rocks was from our last trip. Telling me he would have their or our embassy at my home to collect them. Through a bunch of theatrics and more interrogations we were then taken to prison. I went to one were there was no bedding, blankets or towels of any kind. Kasper went to a different prison. And the Russians were split into three groups 2, 2, and 3 and sent into three different prisons. All the while asking for a phone calls to our embassies.

For those who would wonder what an Omani prison is like all I can say is the American prison system is more like a hotel visit. I would more compare it to a modern version of the prison in the movie "Midnight Express." I was immediately a celebrity in there and it seemed as if all the poor bastards in there wanted to talk to the American in jail. I felt pretty foolish telling them I was there for rock hunting and I think they all thought I was fibbing or lying to them. But I assured them it was the truth. It seemed like everyone who could speak English wanted to stay up and talk. I was really having some withdrawals from my smoking and coffee habits and all I wanted to do was sleep. I found the people who were in that prison quite nice and very curious about Americans. There was a lot of graffiti on the walls that seemed to portray other sentiments about Americans. But I found that group of prisoners to be quite nice and I wish them all the best.

Geologists coming to collect stones in the desert are not "artefact thieves". And as the article claims, he was not charged with anything let alone tried before a court of law. And if he had been charged with a crime, what was the justification for not informing his consular representative or providing him with a lawyer and an interpreter?

I'm afraid this has a ring of truth to it. Exaggerated and one-sided as it may be, I have heard of other cases which are factually similar. ROP frequently deport people without a legal process, rarely notify foreign embassies of arrests in accordance with the Vienna Conventions, and to be honest are not exactly well-known for their fastidious adherence to due process in respect of Omanis, let alone foreigners.

Certainly an area for improvement, whatever the rights and wrongs of this individual case.

Hmmm...my lil cuz told me abt this site yesterday...but neva expected it like this....-wht a shame!!-

all this is a bunch of bull!!!

Wow , but all I cay say , I am not surprised if it is true . Probably the Omani police thought there was more to them and were basically suspicious.

Part 2/3......................

April 3rd in the afternoon I was summoned by some fellow inmates and told to gather my things because they were releasing me. I went to the gate and was taken out. My bag was no longer at the front office. I was taken by 2 fellows back to the police station.The fellows that couldn’t speak any English were given a Russian translator and ask lots of questions in individual sessions. We were then taken back to the same different prisoners. The prisoners couldn’t believe I was back. April 4th sometime in the afternoon I again was summoned to the gate entry and was told to gather my stuff ( bar of soap, tooth brush and psoriasis medication) When I got outside there was a small van with a locking side door. As I neared the van I could hear my friends yelling my name. We all crowded in that dink van and headed back to the police station. This time we were brought in through a small back door and lead through a paved courtyard. We were back in the office were our money and wallets were held and they were given back to us. We were then finger printed and our mug shots were taken. First there was the German Embassy consul. Then arrived the Russian Embassy consoler and finally like the Calvary the American Embassy consoler Wesley arrived. It was almost as if I weren’t quite awake because of no caffeine or smokes and was kind of in a sleep. Oddly when Wesley asked them what our charges were or why we were arrested? They became enraged and told him to shut up or he would be either arrested or escorted out. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing but he got just about the same answer we had got. ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING.

Wesley and I had a brief talk outside the police station. He told me that he had just found out about my arrest and hurried to the police station. He assured me the Omani judicial system was fair and just. He gave me the basics of how their court system works and that we will be allowed to address our accusers and their isn’t a jury but three judges that will rule on the case once everyone is heard. He also gave me at that time a listing of all the lawyers that our Embassy had experience with or were capable of translation into English. Kasper, the Russians and I left the police station with absolutely no documentation and no passport. We were allowed to dig through the trucks for anything left of our personal effects, mostly our clothes and sleeping bags was the only thing left. They kept all our cameras, Ivan’s two lap top computers, cash, checks and lots of personal documents left in his suitcase, our GPS units, radios, metal detectors, flashlights, binoculars, tire compressors, tow straps and anything else this pack of thieves wanted.

As we were digging though the trucks the gentleman who we had rented the trucks from in Muscat showed up to retrieve his trucks that we had paid for thru the 15th of April. Apparently the police called him so we wouldn’t get far? So we cleaned them out as best we could in the police parking lot and were presented a bill for cleaning and minor damages (some of the damage the police caused while driving them on the way to Muscat). But I paid it in full.

We were driven to the Asas Oman hotel where we secured the hotels largest royal suite available. Thinking we would only be there a few days while this mess was ironed out. I stayed in touch with my embassy on a basis if I got any news. The whole time I was there I only received one call from them and it was a fellow named Chris who introduced himself and gave me his cell number incase I had any problems and couldn’t reach Wesley. They were good about calling me back though.

The German consul advised Kasper he would be on a plane within a couple days and booked a ticket for him. The Russian consoler Dmitri was a real delight and was paying us visits on a regular basis. It seemed like he was the only one who really worked on our behalf on a daily basis.

Our first bit of unofficial news from the consulates was that there were many errors made in our apprehension. That there may have been some laws or treaty violations by them. The police were unaware of and were searching for laws we may have broken? Since they were unfamiliar with and had no prior experience with rock hounding laws this may take some time for officials to figure out what to do. Ivan having talked with Dr Salem at the police station agreed to take him to a place outside of Salalah were there was a lot of space rocks he was interested in retrieving. So the next day April 5th a flight was booked leaving Muscat at 11:00 and it was agreed that Ivan would meet them at the airport and go there to show them the rocks .Ivan was awake early and his first stop was the police station were he was asked to sort the rocks after the Oman police had mixed them up. From there Ivan took a cab to the airport to catch his flight and another fellow was there named Halil. But no Dr Salem they waited and finally 20 minutes before departure the Dr arrived. Ivan said it was like in a movie the Dr was told he was too late to get a boarding pass and catch the scheduled flight . He was acting like a crazy man running around the airport demanding to get on the plane . But to no avail they had to wait for until 3:00 pm for the next flight.

While in Salalah Ivan paid the bill for the rental trucks ,purchased some magin (camel meat) and got a hair cut and shave. He didn’t look like the same old cute Ivan when he returned on April 6th.

On April 7th Ivan called the Dr to set an appointment for Ivan and I at the Dr. Salem’s office at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the 10th of April. The appointment on April 10th was quite nice and Dr Salem was at that time quite cordial. Ivan gave then copies in floppy discs of all pertaining files to there inquiries off of his computers. We also went through some of the photos on on his computer from this trip explained our experiences and finds and what we thought of them. One of the photos was a picture of something we asked him about . There was one evening prior to our arrest were we had camped in the desert and Kasper made an unusual find right near camp. It was a rock about the size of a basket ball but somewhat oblong. It was a piece of terrestrial basalt. What was unusual about it was there was a grove about two inches wide cut around it in it’s girth for a rope to be tied to it. We all sat around the campfire discussing what it was. My first thought was an ancient boat anchor but we were at least 200 miles from any water. So on we pondered until I figured it out, just what this curious stone was. A camel brake, for runaway camels. I had to explain it to the guys who couldn’t speak English:

If you're out in the desert and your riding your camel and it starts to go crazy and chase another camel or it sees a mirage off in the distance and start to run for it . You just apply the camel brake by throwing the rock off the camel. Off course the other end is tied around the camels neck or it’s testicles! I know if I were a camel I would stop pretty quick !! Well we all took pictures of it and left it where we found it. The doctor and the other fellows in the room thought that rock may have been a tent anchor or something else. Towards the end of our visit I asked him if he knew what we were being charged with and what was going on ? His reply was it was a police matter and we should inquire with them. His departing words to Ivan were that he was going to Johannesburg, South Africa for a week and hoped to see him when he got back.

So the following day April 11th Ivan and I walked up to the police station to inquire. We were turned away and told shorts was not allowed . We walked back to our hotel put on some long pants and walked back up. We asked to speak to inspector Drackma. After a major runaround one of the thieves from the band came out and we inquired as to what was going on are we going to be charged or not, and about getting our passports and gear back? His reply was it will happen THESE days. Now this guy spoke real good English before !! I inquired what THESE DAYS means. All he would say was THESE DAYS.

well... actually... I've been told of different or foreigner geologists who visited Oman... to come and examine different fossils may be alright... but to take such things from other countries is considered theft and is unjust... it belongs to the country and so unauthorized people should not go on taking as they please whatsoever... that is completely understandable to me... so I actually wouldn't blame those who arrested the geologists... such places are off boundaries... what belongs there will remain there unless the citizens or whomever give the authority...

Part 3/3 .........................

I told him that some of our friends were suffering hardships because their families were worried and they were the sources of income for their families. He told me to write a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs. So I did. It was never acknowledged or replied.

On April 12th we were told by one of the consulates that they were charging us but this was all unofficial . He also advised us they had made many legal errors in our arrest. But that the police had no experience in trying to prosecute under these laws and it would require some time for them to figure out what they were actually going to do.

April 16th the Russian consular came to our apartment with gifts and a law that was faxed to him from the Ministry of Foreign affairs. The law was a law about national heritage and archeological references. The law is the Royal Decree number 6/80 he gave us a translation and we were later given a written translation by the German Embassy. It made absolutely no sense to any of us and said nothing about rocks or rock collecting.

April 19th The Russian consular again came to our apartment with more gifts. This time his news was good and that the unofficial word was that they were dropping all charges against us.

April 22nd one of the Russian fellows grandmother had passed away and we received a visit from 2 of the Russian consolers. We at that time received more unofficial news. We were told that the paperwork on our case was sent back to the location of our arrest. That they were going to charged us and that we would receive some paper work from them in the next couple days either that following Sunday or Monday.

That evening we all had a discussion about retaining an attorney for our defense . But it’s pretty difficult to retain an attorney since we still didn’t know what or if we were going to be charged and what with? Later that evening I received a call from the American consul. He told me that it was unofficial but that he heard we were going to be charged with three separate charges. Theft of government property, importing metal detectors without approval and a visa violation! The visa violation was something about having a work visa instead of tourist visa. I called my attorney in the states that night (morning in America) also and told him the unofficial report.

April 24th and 25th, that Sunday and Monday came and went. No news — good, bad or otherwise

April 26th my birthday. I turned 54 years old in Oman, I invited all my captive friends to a night on the town. Where else are they going to go? I took them to the Crowne Plaza hotel for a nice steak dinner and a glass of beer. Well it turned out to be a nice dinner five bottles of vodka a couple rounds of beer, wine and whiskey. $850 dollars later there were three Russians who lost their dinner on the way to or in our hotel room. One of them Captain Max (named Captain because he has a sailboat in Russia). Apparently got sea sick walking home from the Crowne Plaza hotel and rolled down a hill and into a ditch. He was all scuffed up the next day. The daily housekeepers were very nice, friendly and very understanding.

April 30th we received good news from the Russian Consulate. Again it was unofficial but we would be free pretty soon!

May 1st was the day Russians celebrate Easter. Easter morning is a week after it’s celebrated in America it’s celebrated in Russia. That morning we got a visit from the Russian consul, his lovely wife and daughter. They brought us colored hard boiled eggs and a cake to our hotel room and spent a few hours visiting with us.

May 2nd was Kasper’s birthday so to celebrate we went to a nearby restaurant and bar and had a light meal with a round of beers and a bottle or two of vodka. This hotel was amazing there was a sunken dinning room with a raised runway up the middle. Set up with a portable organ at the end of the stage. We all ate some food and started to get some drinks as the place started to fill up. All of a sudden the music started and four Arabic gals dressed like well dressed American women came on stage. They were dressed in dresses and slacks and basically stood in the runway and shook to the beat of the music. I guess that’s an Arabic strip show were the woman reveal their faces?

May 3rd we were instructed by the Russian consulate to book airline flights out of the country leaving between May 9 and 11. We were instructed that a reservation was not acceptable the police wanted actual hard tickets. We were all quite skeptical and apprehensive about purchasing tickets and not being allowed to leave or use them. We were told at that time that he thought we were being deported.

May 7th we went to the police station and were finger and palm printed six times each. Along with a photo of our faces was taken. All of us had representation from our perspective Embassy’s with us. The Embassy’s were told in advance that we would receive or have to sign documents. But we were told absolutely nothing received absolutely nothing and signed nothing.

May 8th we again were told to report to the police station we did again we were told nothing but that we needed hard copy airline tickets out of the country. At around 12:00 we headed in different directions to purchase our airline tickets and return with them in hand by 2:30 pm so we did. The tickets were turned over to the police station and we left for our hotel.

May 9th at 12:00 we received a call from the Russian embassy that he was faxed a document and instructed to give it to the concerning parties. He showed up at our hotel at about 2:30 pm with four copies of the document in Arabic and copies of a document in Russian for an excuse to their employers as to our detention. He told us basically what it said in a ruff translation. He was shocked and so were we. Earlier in the day I had talked with a local attorney and told him what we thought was going on. I asked him if I could chat with him briefly in the afternoon about representing us once we were out of the country. He advised me they were closed for lunch from 2:00 to 3:00 pm but he would be available till 6:00 pm.

The Russian consul left by 3:00 and Ivan and I immediately caught a cab to the attorney's office. There we had a brief chat, showed him the document were he was explaining to us what it meant and what was going on. He was in amazement of our story and we agreed to fax or email him a copy of the document once we were all out of the country safely. Five of us were to fly out of Seeb international airport within an hour of each other around midnight so the five of us traveled to the airport together. The remaining four guys were to fly out the following evening. Ivan and I flew to London and we had a six-hour layover to catch the flight to Phoenix. While in Heathrow airport London Ivan received a text message that the other four guys had caught their flight to Dubai and were safely out of that hell hole!!

well... actually... I've been told of different or foreigner geologists who visited Oman... to come and examine different fossils may be alright... but to take such things from other countries is considered theft and is unjust... it belongs to the country and so unauthorized people should not go on taking as they please whatsoever... that is completely understandable to me... so I actually wouldn't blame those who arrested the geologists... such places are off boundaries... what belongs there will remain there unless the citizens or whomever give the authority...

That's exactly what i'm trying to point out, we've been having a lot of problems with some geologists, archeologists and even tourists collecting stones, meteorites and mostly fossils which are considered too important for Oman.

Yes!! I know, that's very true... Omanies should be aware of that!!!... since you all know what valuables Oman has... anyone who wishes to make use of them from other countries may be welcome in the business :D... truly nothing is for free... meteorites are not found everywhere now adays... geologists should be asked what they wanna use it for... but more important is they should be protected first... Omani property ;)

POST EDITED!
once more...
*Reads XLNC's post below*
Thats not in my dictionary...
GUWAHAHAHAAHA

Ok FE....now can you plz TLC...jst for once in ur miserabla life!!!

I read about it yesterday actually

From what I read the Ministry of Tourism is trying to get that site shut down because of it's false comments.

From the reports those guys were suspected of stealing the meteorite rocks which are considered valuable in Oman I don't know how other countries look at it but since it's in Omani land it'll follow Omani law.

Another point is I don't see why the #^#&#$%@$@!# is this guy complaning about appartenly he hasn't gone through the US cutomes like the rest of the world

From what I read the Ministry of Tourism is trying to get that site shut down because of it's false comments.On what grounds would the site be shut down?

Getting a site shut down is not as easy as you think ... unless the they are in violation of the "Terms of Service".

If not it will not be easy.

false advertisment and twisting facts from what i gathered

and i nkow it's not easy thats why it's taking time

i think the easiest thing would be that some bored hacker just hacks the site

And he is even making fun of Omanis when he said "NO PROBLEM" many times.

And he is even making fun of Omanis when he said "NO PROBLEM" many times.I don't think it's against any law US or Omani to make fun of Omanis ... tea

now if they can prove that a law has been broken ... here. They will have grounds ... if not they are out of luck.

"This agreement shall be governed by the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA ("Pennsylvania") and the United States of America."

Taking out almost everything we had in them. Making nice piles of our gear, suitcases and rocks on the parking lot and demanding we stand next to our pile and point at it. While our pictures were taken.
LOoOOoL.... get real!!! This can't be... LoooL... what a joke man!!! I just read all that, woa woa... I do stick to my point.... however, even though I've a feeling the one who wrote it was a bit exagerating... there's still a point there... for one thing... going through all that would obviously be a bad experience for those geologists and if what they say is true... then i must confess... the Omanies also have a fault over here... for one thing... u realize we never used to know the value of our stones i deem... until we figured out, geologists were already roaming around the lands... so basically what I'm saying is... if this story is true and it went like the geologist said then the omanies have overdone it... even if there's suspicion, one cannot accuse people of stealing until there's a law that forbids it!!! Unless the Omanies have a law and make it clear to everyone out there... then that is ok... but from what I read here and if the story was true... then emprisoning them and taking all their belongings is WAY over the limit if indeed a law forbidding people to take Omani rocks was not stated clearly... though the person was exaggerating a bit there out of anger I guess... I think the best thing to do was to send them back with everything rather than imprison them and mistreating them like that (according to the story)........ it is true Omanies should pay more attention to their lands, but if u want to do something then do it the right way... unless the law is officially clear then taking action like that would be unjust in my opinion...

I don't think it's against any law US or Omani to make fun of Omanis ... tea

now if they can prove that a law has been broken ... here. They will have grounds ... if not they are out of luck.



What is US to do with Oman laws and it's a matter of respect not laws. The guy visited Oman and he is behaving like an animal.

Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IceTea... if the story was true as been stated above... the guy has actually been treated like an animal... don't flip up though... if an Omani doesn't know his own law it's ridiculous... state the law first and make it clear , only THEN should u imprison whoever breaks it !! ... otherwise it just can't work this way :hmm:
SuGaR:... u ok? ... it's ok hun... go drink some pepsi :) :D

.. looooooooooool.. u know guys.. we are just doing excellent.. i guess this guy lost his job or something in Oman where we pay him good money that cant find somewhere else :D *ya3ni feeeh 7araaah :hyper: *

3T, what are you defending this animal?

:os :os... actually Toomuchat.... this website will cause more damage... foreigners who read this will have a bad impression... that'll decrease the number of tourists... ya shabab 3oman yakhee... u should know better...

IceTea: LooooL.... no I'm not... but I'm pointing out that Omanies SHOULD take this matter into consideration and create a law if they want to protect their valuables... otherwise it ain't right to treat those geology tourists like that... that's basically what I'm saying :os

I don't think it will cause any damage, the US also made a Quran called the Furqan, do you think such book will affect muslims.

Thats the Saddest thing i ever saw in my life!
I think these people must be sued! and our Goverment have to do something about it.. its really Messing up oman’s reputation!! The worst part of the website is that they have it in lots of different languages!! they want the Whole Wide World to know about it!

who told you they are geology tourists?

nope... not muslims... outsiders my friend... ;)... but WHATEVER it is !!! do u really think how the omanies treated those geologists was just?? isn't it a bit too much??? why all the imprisonment and enterrogation crap??? why not just send them back????

The outsiders should search for the truth from it's people and not from Islam enemies.

who told me???? I reeaally don't follow you here :os :os... this IS about geologists coming to Oman and taking their stones isn't it... or have I gone to the wrong thread :think:

LoOoL ok... IT ... OK... whatever makes u sleep :)... bas ilmuhim...my point is... the omanies overdid it... I need my questions answered above...

I meant that is what is posted in the site and one side story, meaning we don't know what is the story from Oman side, so we can't know for sure it's true.

I meant that is what is posted in the site and one side story, meaning we don't know what is the story from Oman side, so we can't know for sure it's true.Cool ...tea ... when you get the omani government side please post it. ;)

When do you think you can do this?

When it is ready (if there is a case) ;),

:os :os... actually Toomuchat.... this website will cause more damage... foreigners who read this will have a bad impression... that'll decrease the number of tourists... ya shabab 3oman yakhee... u should know better...


LOOOOOOOOOOOOL .. yobah dont make me laugh.. today i been driving for 720 kms and have no chance to laugh!

.. we learnt in school, that addin or subtracting 1 to/from 0.0000000001 .. the result is almost the same and that web-site is 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000001 to defeat us!

.. btw, we got a ministry, and a government as well, so if they find it annoyin they will do something abt it!..

.. oh, wait a minute, i think this guy wants to make a deal with the ministry of tourism, that to shutdown the web-site, the mnistry should pay him 1 million omani rial, .. well the ministry will agree for the sake of tourism :D :6: .. walahi ma95artation we 5arba6ation!

... :os... this doesn't sound good... I guess I can't make any judgements except from what I read above... if anyone can bring in the story from our side that would be pretty much helpful... otherwise my judgement of the situation remains there...
a law should nevertheless be made... u need a law for such things... people can't be accused of breaking a law which doesn't exist yet :mmhmm:... think about that... for now here is where I stand... nothing further

here you go not the best but i guess does the job

http://www.omania.net/avb/showthread.php?t=181278

very well... thanx CR.... what I conclude from the link was that the police didn't talk about the case and so we only have one story to go by... basically someone who has had a bad experience in Oman which somehow indicates how omanies treat some tourists especially since the person called the embassy asking if there was any law in Oman which forbids taking rocks or whatever... he has been told that there was none and so the case began... now since that's what happened I doubt it very much that it would be the geologist's fault... what say you?? as one of them said: he is not surprised that such a site has been opened... that keeps me with my judgement then... state a LAW people... otherwise the geologists are right... they shouldn't have been mistreated that way...

If the meteors are considered valuables then it'll fall in the valuables category

anywayz everyone is free to belive what they want

The "Omani" document says on the website that ...

It is decided:
1. The case is closed for immateriality.
2. The executive authority shall take necessary measures to expatriate the accused and list them as personae non-grata to enter the Sultanate's territory.
3. Confiscation by the State of the seized effects.


Main Entry: im·ma·te·ri·al
Pronunciation: "i-m&-'tir-E-&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English immateriel, from Middle French, from Late Latin immaterialis, from Latin in- + Late Latin materialis material
1 : not consisting of matter : INCORPOREAL
2 : of no substantial consequence : UNIMPORTANT

Now they were held without being charged for "6 weeks" and all of their belongings (not only any rocks ect ...) were confiscated.

Wild camels eating garbage in the streets of Muscat, the capital of Oman

very interesting. ME want to see those garbage eaters.

On what grounds would the site be shut down?

Getting a site shut down is not as easy as you think ... unless the they are in violation of the "Terms of Service".

If not it will not be easy.

Who said that the ministry would do something like that, there are many websites that have some hidden agenda, we as omanies we know our who we are and how we treat others and as the Arabic saying; IF THE QAFILAH IS GOING LET THE DOGS BARK:

Please reply with your course of action. Nothing short of nuking the thieving bastards would make me one happy tax-paying camper!! :o) :o)

These people's story started in 2004. and rite now its almost been a whole year over this issue.. Since Omantel blocked the site, this means they have read all its contents, which means there is no way the goverment didnt hear about it. So if they did, wouldnt they have taken any actions towards the whole matter? If they igonred it and the letter which is on the site was truley sent to the sates, then we would have surly heard at least something about it in the newspapers..

I dunno if my mind started going far away, but stuff like that usually flames up the cold war between two nations. :os

Things like that always makes me confused, is it true or not..

This guy thinks just because he's an American, then he can get away with it in a country like Oman, but that’s not the case anymore. I'm 100% sure that he was given a chance to contact the embassy, and they couldn't do anything for him despite the good relations between both countries. That itself proves his wrong doings along with other individuals who were with him.

Yet again, he's not the only person who made a mistake here, as I said earlier, Oman should be more transparent when it comes to the laws banning such activities. My main concern right now is the bad publicity the country and its people are getting from his web site.

For those who are curious about the public prosecution documents, click here (http://216.92.166.247/official_doc.html)

The site was opened till few days back where Omantel has took this action & blocked it!

The problem is not with the people viewning from inside Oman, its with the people outside.


I believe an action should be taken to stop this, shutting down the site is a big step, & it wont be easy at all!

why to give it such publicity?
!!!
does it deserve it?

and since when any one can satisfy every one in the world????????????????? ;)

.. u know when u feed the donkey and it feels full, the donkey gets stronger and at the end of the day the donkey will kick his.her feeder!! copy paste situation!! :cool:

I'm surprised that is bothering u :bored:... there's really no point in arguing here... unless u have the story from the other side, only then can u judge... otherwise stay put and stop jumpin on each other :mmhmm:

we hear about positive and negative things happening in every place in the world i thing most of u agree with me up to here????


if u agreeeee!!!! my be this is the negative things about our country .......
this is the general thinking for all (tourism)

Okay everyone, lets calm down and stop the fighting.

my god u guys chill

take your fights to pm

if this goes on i'll lock this thread

Okay everyone, lets calm down and stop the fighting.


the key word is PROVOKE .. long time ago.. remember!! ;)

__________________________________________________ _______________


anyway.. as i said before if the government thinks this issue is annoying and might STOP *i wish lol* the lovely visitors from US or EU from visiting us.. then the gov. will surely do something abt it.. if ..and only if the gov. knows abt it :duh:


.. for our lovely visitors i advice u to watch a video called "Oman, The Land of Opportunities" .. stop watching the 9/11 videos :scold:

Note the following:
THE OMAN CONSTITUTION

Please note Article 24 of the
Constitution of Oman:

"Article 24 [Arrest]
Anyone who is arrested shall be notified of the causes of his arrest immediately and he shall have the right to contact whoever he sees fit, to inform them of what has taken place or seek their assistance, in the manner regulated by the Law. He must be informed promptly of the charges against him, and he and his representative shall have the right to appeal before the judicial authorities against the measure which has restricted his personal freedom. The Law regulates his right of appeal in a manner which ensures that a judgement will be issued on it within a specified period, failing which he must be released."


The government of Oman violated its own constitution in its treatment of them!!

Sultanate of Oman
Public Prosecution

A decision closing
the Case No. 1/Q/2005 - Habari Police Station

The accused:
1. Ivan Kotrev - 45 yrs - Russian
2. John Karl Blizt - 59 yrs - American
3. Yuri Stepakov - 27 yrs - Russian
4. Victor Alexiev - 45 yrs - Latvian
5. Kasper Von Wuthenau - 38 yrs - German
6. Dimitri Golkov - 38 yrs - Russian
7. Timor Amakovady - 38 yrs - Russian
8. Alembik Maxim - 38 yrs - Russian
9. Alexi Regevenko - 27 yrs - Russian

The incident summarises that some Police elements sighted on 31.03.2005, at night, six vehicles ridden by the nine accused at the area of "Sidad" adjacent to oilfields. The Police were suspicious, particularly there is information that some unknowns are laying hand on meteorite rocks and smuggle them outside the country. The Police took these accused to the Police Station and, after obtaining a warrant from the Public Prosecution, searched their vehicles to seize from each of them some pieces of rocks, stones, wild animal skeletons and some marine shells. The Police also seized metal detection devices.

A report supported by photographs showed the seizure of sequestered rocks and stones as well as wireless paging devices and metal detectors in the six vehicles used by the accused to complete their crime.

Photocopies of some daily newspapers and Internet websites showed there was news about the falling of rare meteorites from Mars in the Wasta Region and that the Director of Mineral Excavation Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asserted that one of the rocks found is originating from Mars.

By interrogating the accused, the First and the Fifth took exception that they are specialised in geological research and their going to the desert and collecting some rocks is meant for study and scientific research and additionally benefit their work. The First accused added that he had previously visited the Sultanate for three times and collected samples of rocks in the Omani desert. Interrogating the other accused, they stated that they headed to the Omani desert to collect some rocks and different stones for the purpose of scientific research conducted by the First accused who asked them to do so when they met him.

As for the communication devices seized with the Second accused, he stated that he brought them with him to the country through the Seeb International Airport pointing out that the Airport authorities did not object to the devices entering the country.

In the legal conformity, the incident constitutes the following crimes in face of the accused:

First:
The theft misdemeanour punishable under Article 279 of the Penal Code.

Second:
The misdemeanour of conducting exploration and excavation operations without licence, punishable under articles (3/2 - 10/1 - 21/A) of Law 27 of 2003 on mining.

Third:
The misdemeanour of using radio communications devices without licence, punishable under articles (9/1 - 30 - 54) of law 30 of 2002 on regulation of communications.
Whereas the accused were captured upon initiating their crime without ensuing any negative consequences on the Omani society and without affecting whatsoever the national economy.
And whereas continuing legal proceedings to file a public case against the accused shall have a negative impact and shall be of great detriment to the tourism in the country which is promoted by the State as a vital source of national economy, let alone the fact that it represents the only sources to economies of some countries in the world.

And whereas what the accused went through during the seizure and the following interrogation process over the incident may deter them and others from committing the same actions in the future.

And whereas from the mentioned above, the incident proved to be insignificant to necessitate trying the accused but rather to absolve them from being brought before the court, sufficing with their deportation while taking procedures to deter them from entering the country in the future in addition to confiscating the seized items by the State in accordance with Article (101) of the Criminal Procedures Law and Article (29) of the Foreigners Residence Law.

And whereas based on the above and the non-existence of a part claiming a civil right and in application of Article (125) of the same mentioned law, it is legally right to decide to close the case due to immateriality.

Whereas the abovementioned details of the case.

It is decided:
1. The case is closed for immateriality.
2. The executive authority shall take necessary measures to expatriate the accused and list them as personae non-grata to enter the Sultanate's territory.
3. Confiscation by the State of the seized effects.
4. A copy of the decision is to be handed over to those concerned.

21 Rabie Awwal 1426
30 April 2005

and there you all have it

Pretender you rock

truth is shown and now all of you who doubted the govt well i wouldn't like to be you now

Note the following:
THE OMAN CONSTITUTION

Please note Article 24 of the
Constitution of Oman:

"Article 24 [Arrest]
Anyone who is arrested shall be notified of the causes of his arrest immediately and he shall have the right to contact whoever he sees fit, to inform them of what has taken place or seek their assistance, in the manner regulated by the Law. He must be informed promptly of the charges against him, and he and his representative shall have the right to appeal before the judicial authorities against the measure which has restricted his personal freedom. The Law regulates his right of appeal in a manner which ensures that a judgement will be issued on it within a specified period, failing which he must be released."


The government of Oman violated its own constitution in its treatment of them!!
check what pretender said


ppl should know all facts before blasting

The case is clear now.

It will be good if Pretender can add a link to the source.

so there IS a law!!!! :mmhmm: ... gosh!! honestly at least u all know the law now... ur own country's law that is... :bored:... clearly good lawyers are needed here!! ilmuhim... .. :hmm:... well done pretender... umm...CR.. even if I had all the doubts before, that was according to what I read... I talk facts not from the back of my head, cuz then talking with no knowledge is stupid :rolleyes:.....now that we know the case from both sides... judgement is possible :D

3T, you was only assuming what is stated a fact. So they key point is never assume things and call them facts.

I was not assuming... I was talking according to what was written.... I wouldn't call ur arguments talking with facts either... ;)... I like what my friends said once... judge urself before u judge others... I think it's on AE's signature :p

I was informed about the existence of the site a week ago and couldn't access it (Omantel Notice).
All the info you guys have gathered here is quite astonishing!
But I reckon just as some of you said, we shouldn't let this get in our way.

What Pretender has provided is surely by far the most beneficial article in this thread.. :)

aha and the judgement is?

aha and the judgement is?The judgement was posted on page 2 of this thread. If you are not in Oman you can read the whole thing.

"It is decided:
1. The case is closed for immateriality.
2. The executive authority shall take necessary measures to expatriate the accused and list them as personae non-grata to enter the Sultanate's territory.
3. Confiscation by the State of the seized effects."

They decided the case was of no consequense ...

It took them 6 weeks to come to this conclusion.

The judgement was posted on page 2 of this thread. If you are not in Oman you can read the whole thing.

"It is decided:
1. The case is closed for immateriality.
2. The executive authority shall take necessary measures to expatriate the accused and list them as personae non-grata to enter the Sultanate's territory.
3. Confiscation by the State of the seized effects."

They decided the case was of no consequense ...

It took them 6 weeks to come to this conclusion.

In all fairness Jack, many Arabs or Muslims have been treated in the US infinitely worse in the last few years and held for much more longer ... and held without charge.

And finally released without compensation or an apology.

The door can swing both ways.

In all fairness Jack, many Arabs or Muslims have been treated in the US infinitely worse in the last few years and held for much more longer ... and held without charge.

And finally released without compensation or an apology.

The door can swing both ways.And when they were the Arab world screamed bloody murder ... yes you are right in all fairness it swings both ways.

And when they were the Arab world screamed bloody murder ... yes you are right in all fairness it swings both ways.

Well I am for one am not screaming bloody murder ... it's just a sign of the times ... as one my American friends said to me recently: "We [Arabs/Muslims]are the new Black"

;)

Well I am for one am not screaming bloody murder ... it's just a sign of the times ... as one my American friends said to me recently: "We [Arabs/Muslims]are the new Black"

;)In the Arab/Muslim world ... the non-muslims have "always" been the "Black" ... "other" ... or whatever word you wish to call it.

Lets be real, please.

oh really?

Jack can you give me examples of those countries where the non muslims have been treated inferior?

Is the site blocked by omantel?

yeah it is as far as i know

why in gods name would they do that? Instead of rising awareness of what is actually going on and is said about the country they choose to block it and keep us in the dark , while other people around the world are free to read about what is said in that site. It's rediculous really. :os

That's so true!!... what's the purpose??...

why in gods name would they do that? Instead of rising awareness of what is actually going on and is said about the country they choose to block it and keep us in the dark , while other people around the world are free to read about what is said in that site. It's rediculous really. :os
Oh come on, they're always doing stuff like this. You hardly hear about anything here because everything contraversial is being covered up!

Because it's rubbish.

And making fun of Omanis, NO PROBLEM.

.hmmm :os.. don't let Oman listen to it but let everyone else? .... well...I think it's more like what Niggy said ....:rolleyes:

why in gods name would they do that? Instead of rising awareness of what is actually going on and is said about the country they choose to block it and keep us in the dark , while other people around the world are free to read about what is said in that site. It's rediculous really.
I totally agree with Nabs here!!
Would someone please be so kind and generous as to explain why such actions are taken??? :think:

or maybe it's because of a program

that has certain terms in it that block it

there are lots of medical sites that are

Oh my Gud :lift: This is ridiculous !!! :duh:

The site is no longer on the web, I think they took it off.

Justice prevails.

Justice prevails.

Justice? I think it was unnecessary for them to remove it off the web. Everyone should have the freedom to say what they want even if it's lies and the other side should make the effort to prove the other side wrong. Try to beat them at their own game. If they only shut down the web without providing an explanation of the other side of the story, then they're using "power" and keeping people in the dark about what really happened.

old thread lol
but i'm sure u can still find site like that somewhere :rolleyes:

Old thread....