Omani court sentences 2 foreigners to one month in prison for disturbing turtles

The Court of First Instance in Sur has sentenced two foreigners to a month in prison for disturbing and mishandling turtles at Oman's Ras Al Had reserve and sharing it on social media.

Investigations showed that the two perpetrators, Vadim and Olena, had climbed onto the backs of large turtles, handled smaller turtles, and disturbed them by touching and approaching them while they were moving along the beaches.

The authorities sentenced them to one month in prison for posting content that is "prejudicial to public order", alongside a fine of around AED 950 (100 Omani riyals) for disturbing the turtles. 

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— النيابة العامة - سلطنة عُمان (@oman_pp) October 4, 2026

Oman's Environmental Authority had previously shared that legal action was taken against the tourists. 

The authority also urged all citizens, residents, and tourists to comply with guidelines governing visits to sea turtle nesting sites and to refrain from touching, approaching, or disturbing sea turtles.

#توضيح | بشأن المقطع المتداول حول التعدي على السلاحف البحرية في منطقة رأس الحد، تتابع #هيئة_البيئة الواقعة، وقد تم اتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية اللازمة بحق الشخص المعني وفقًا للتشريعات النافذة، مؤكدةً عدم التهاون مع أي ممارسات تضر بالحياة الفطرية وموائلها الطبيعية.

Clarification |… pic.twitter.com/7BdOKgksFN

— هيئة البيئة - عُمان (@ea_oman) September 27, 2026