May 3, 2005	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1426

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MUSCAT, May 2: Oman’s state security court on Monday handed jail terms of between one and 20 years to 31 persons accused of plotting to overthrow the government and membership of a banned organization. Defence lawyers had argued that their clients were innocent of the charges against them and had merely sought to promote the teachings of the Sultanate’s majority Ibadi sect.

Judge Hilal bin Hamad Busaidi said the defendants, all Omanis, could not appeal the verdict but could ask for a pardon from the ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos within 30 days. Thirty were convicted of plotting to “overthrow the regime by force of arms and replace it by an imamate, by setting up a banned underground organization”.—AFP