Criminal Procedure Code at Oman
Oman's Criminal Procedure Law, formally known as Royal Decree No. 97/99, was promulgated on December 15, 1999, and serves as the primary legal framework governing criminal investigations, prosecutions, trials, and appeals within the Sultanate. This law is complemented by the Penal Law (Royal Decree No. 7/2018), which defines criminal offenses and penalties. (Royal Decree 69/2022 Amending Some Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law – Decree)
📘 Key Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law
Investigation and Arrest: The law outlines procedures for the investigation of crimes, including the powers of the Public Prosecution and law enforcement agencies to arrest and detain individuals suspected of criminal activity.
Trial Procedures: It establishes the framework for conducting criminal trials, ensuring the rights of the accused are upheld, including the right to a fair trial and legal representation.
Appeals: The law provides mechanisms for appealing criminal convictions and sentences, allowing for the review of cases by higher courts.
Enforcement of Sentences: It details the procedures for the enforcement of criminal sentences, including imprisonment and other penalties.
⚖️ Recent Amendments
The Criminal Procedure Law has undergone several amendments to address evolving legal and societal needs:
Royal Decree No. 120/2020 (October 12, 2020): Amended Article 221 to stipulate that the felony court shall not issue a death sentence except by consensus. Prior to issuing such a sentence, the related documents must be sent to a committee formed by the Sultan, chaired by the Grand Mufti, to offer their opinion from a Sharia perspective. If no consensus is reached, the death sentence will be replaced with life imprisonment. (Royal Decree 120/2020 Amending Some Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law – Decree)
Royal Decree No. 69/2022 (October 20, 2022): Amended Articles 4-bis and 164. Article 4-bis allows a person who suffers damage from a crime to file a lawsuit directly with the competent court. The court must notify the Public Prosecution to undertake the public lawsuit. Article 164 pertains to the procedures for the prosecution of crimes committed by public officials. (Royal Decree 69/2022 Amending Some Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law – Decree)
Royal Decree No. 18/2024 (March 25, 2024): Introduced further amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law, continuing the evolution of Oman's criminal justice system. (Royal Decree 18/2024 Amending the Criminal Procedure Law – Decree)
📄 Accessing the Full Text
The full text of the Criminal Procedure Law, including amendments, is available in Arabic on the official Omani government website:
🔗 Royal Decree No. 97/99 – Criminal Procedure Law
For English translations of the law and its amendments, resources such as Decree.om and WIPO Lex may be consulted. (The Penal Law Promulgated by Royal Decree 7/2018)
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