59 Expats Jailed, Deported After Christmas Day Riot at Workers’ Housing

  • Publish date: since 6 days Reading time: 1 min read

A Christmas Day gathering in Oman took a sharp turn—and now dozens are paying the price.

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An Omani court has sentenced 59 expatriate workers to prison after a riot and vandalism incident broke out on December 25, 2025, at a company-owned residential complex in Bidbid, according to the Public Prosecution.

Here’s what went down, minus the legal jargon.

What Happened on Christmas Day

On the evening of December 25, Royal Oman Police received reports of a large group of workers gathering in the Sa’al area of Bidbid.

Authorities say the group didn’t just gather—they damaged company property, disrupted bus operations, and allegedly encouraged others to join in. Several company buses were damaged, and facilities inside the housing complex were vandalised.

Police arrived, ordered the group to disperse, and when those orders were ignored, arrests followed.

Charges Filed Against the Workers

After investigations, the case went to court. On January 8, 2026, the Court of First Instance found 59 defendants guilty of multiple offences, including:

  • Inciting and encouraging an illegal gathering

  • Taking part in a gathering of more than 10 people that threatened public order

  • Damaging private and public property

  • Using phones and online platforms to share content that could harm public order

Jail Time, Confiscation, and Deportation

The sentences were stacked across the different charges:

  • 3 months for inciting the gathering

  • 6 months for participating in the illegal assembly

  • 1 year for vandalism

  • 1 year for cybercrime-related offences

On top of jail time, the court ordered:

  • Confiscation of mobile phones used in the incident

  • Permanent deportation after serving sentences

Not Everyone Was Convicted

While 59 were sentenced, 23 defendants were acquitted in the same case.

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