Oman cop killer’s fate to be decided this month

Muscat: The final report, which will determine the mental state of an Omani man who murdered a police officer, will be issued this month, according to an official from the Public Prosecution.
On December 30, 2017, police officer Saud Al Rawahi was stabbed to death at the City Centre in Seeb. Since then, the murderer had been detained by authorities and was awaiting trial.
An official source at the Department of Public Prosecution told Times of Oman that a committee was formed to assess the mental health of the murderer.
“We are waiting for the final report from the formed committee to assess his mental health by this month. The formed committee includes doctors from the Armed Forces Hospital, Sultan Qaboos Royal Hospital, Khoula Hospital, and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. He is now in the Central Jail of Samal but under medical and psychological observation,” he said.
“If he is found to be mentally ill, there will be no conviction and an end to the punishment. He will then be transferred to Al Masarah Hospital if there is hope that he can be treated. If he is not mentally ill, he will be immediately referred to the court to receive his punishment,” added the official.
The Oman police said that the weapon used in the crime was a white weapon (knife), which resulted in one death and the injury of two others.
“The Oman Penal Law has two types of punishments for murder: life-sentence and the death penalty, and sentencing depends on the circumstances of the case, as well as investigations,” said the official.
Saeed Al Rawahi, the father of the deceased, told the Times of Oman, “I don’t want the killer to be executed but to be put in jail for life if he is in control of his mental abilities. My son already passed away as a martyr. If not, he should be kept in Al Masarah Hospital for further treatment and shouldn’t be let out as he will hurt others if he is released.”
The penal code, which was updated earlier this year, protects the civil liberties of residents in the country.
Among the laws listed in the new code, any person who kills a public official who is performing his duty shall be sentenced to death, which can be replaced by life imprisonment if he is pardoned by the victim’s parents or blood relatives.
The deceased was awarded a medal of honour last February. A statement from the ROP said, “Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shoraiqi, Inspector-General of Police and Customs, rewarded Saud bin Saeed bin Saud Al Rawahi with a Medal of Bravery, who died in the line of duty. His father received the medal.”