Muscat: Two foreign nationals have been fined OMR 100 each and given suspended one-month prison sentences after disturbing nesting turtles at Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve and publishing a video of their actions on Instagram, the Public Prosecution said.
The Criminal Circuit of the Court of First Instance in Sur convicted the defendants, identified as Vadim and Olena, of engaging in conduct likely to harm and disturb nesting turtles by touching and approaching them as they moved along the beaches.
Each defendant was fined OMR 100 for the offence. The court also imposed a one-month prison sentence for using information technology to produce and publish content prejudicial to public order.
The court ordered the penalties to be merged and suspended execution of the custodial sentence. It also ordered publication of the judgment.
In a statement issued on October 4, the Public Prosecution said investigations found that the defendants had climbed onto the backs of large turtles, handled smaller turtles and disturbed them by touching and approaching them within the reserve.
They filmed their actions and published the video through the first defendant’s Instagram account. Following completion of the investigation, the case was referred to the competent court.
The Public Prosecution stressed the importance of complying with laws and regulations protecting wildlife and nature reserves. It also called for responsible use of social media in a manner that safeguards public order and societal values.
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