Three Sohar activists released from prison

Three activists from Sohar were released late on Tuesday night after serving six months prison, while prisoners at Sumayil Central Prison have suspended their 46-day-long fast. "Khaled Al Hamboli, Ali Bakhit Al Badi and Ali Al Gaithi were released last night," Ismail Al Muqbali, an activist from Sohar, told Gulf News on Wednesday. He added that family members and friends greeted the three as they came out of the prison and sweets were distributed to mark their release. The three were given a six-month sentence for blocking roads during the protests in Sohar last year. Meanwhile, Al Muqbali said that the prisoners, who were on fast for 46 days, had suspended their hunger strike after a visit by a team, including two activists, from Sohar. Article continues below Activists Awadh Fuwasi and Ammar Al Hinai along with Khalid Al Maamari, who has been campaigning for the prisoners, were allowed a visit to the Sumayil Central Prison. Two members - Fuwasi and Maamari - were part of the five-member team that met Lieutenant General Hassan Bin Mohsin Bin Salim Al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs last month to apprise him of hunger strike at the Sumayil Central Prison as well as food condition at the prison among other demands. "They met around ten prisoners, who are serving time for their part in protests, and briefed them about the meeting with the police chief," he said, adding that after that the prisoners decided to suspend their hunger strike. At least 100 prisoners started hunger strike at the Sumayil Central Jail but gradually only 23 were on strike but some of them had begun taking some food to avoid any health complications.