Dubai: In a move to combat corruption, a special court has been established in Muscat to investigate bribery claims, worker abuse and public spending abuse.
The Public Funds Court, the first of its kind in Oman, aims to combat financial and administrative corruption that has been a chief complaint in the country.
Over 20 high ranking officials have been arrested and jailed in the past five years, mostly from the oil and gas sector.
Heftier penalties for violators have been relatively successful in reducing corruption cases in the country.
In 2014, the Muscat Primary Court convicted the former minister of commerce and industry, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the Chief Executive Officer of the Oman Oil Company for corruption.
The Financial and Administrative Audit Control has been studying a proposal to establish an independent authority to combat corruption, but there has so far been no announcement.
Meanwhile, more labour courts will also be set up in Muscat due to the increased number of cases. Action against corruption has been heavily boosted after Oman joined the United Nations Convention against Corruption in June, in accordance with Royal Decree No. 64/2013. The Convention requires the establishment of an independent anti-corruption body.
