More than 1,300 arrested for begging in Oman in 2018

Muscat: A total of 1,388 people were arrested for begging in the Sultanate in 2018, the Ministry of Social Development has announced.

Of the 1,388 arrested, 112 were Omani citizens and 1,276 were expats.

The ministry’s team for combating beggary conducted the raids in Muscat, Dhofar, Al Buraimi, North and South Al Batinah.

356 beggars were arrested in the Dhofar governorate and 344 were arrested in Muscat.

The percentage of beggars who were once under the sponsorship of companies and institutions operating in the country and individuals was: 41 percent in Muscat Governorate, 25 percent in Muscat Governorate (Seeb), 22 percent in North and South Batinah Governorates, 6 percent in Buraimi Governorate and 4 percent in the Dhofar Governorate.