Friday 06 / June / 2025
Muscat: The Omanis detained in India over child bride allegations finally arrived home last night, and hundreds of family and friends were there to greet them.
Video: Detained Omanis return home
Children who hadn’t seen their dads and granddads for over a year rushed to embrace the men as they walked through the exit doors at Muscat International Airport.
It was a moment the men had dreamed of as they lay incarcerated in a hotel in Hyderabad, India, with their passports confiscated and accusations of marrying underage girls hanging over them.
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Indian authorities ruled they have no case to answer and they flew home to the loving embrace of their loved ones.
All of the men immediately thanked His Majesty the Sultan, the government and human rights officials for helping to secure their release.
“I would like to thank God, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Oman Human Rights Commission for their efforts to help clear our names,” said Talib Al Salhi.
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Emotions ran high as the five Omanis embraced their families for the first time in over a year.
“I am so happy to be home,” said Nasser Al Salhi, as his family and friends gathered around him.
Eight Omanis were arrested in September 2017 on charges of attempting to engage in marriage to minors and human trafficking of minors.
Three of them, Suliman Al Shiyadi, Mohammed Al Shiyadi and Yasir Al Awadi, were set free and returned to Muscat on April 3.
The Omani men have always maintained their innocence, stating that they were “medical tourists”.
“I always believed in myself and I knew that I did nothing wrong,” added Al Salhi.
Oman’s Human Rights Commission and the Omani embssay in India, have been actively involved in the case, pursuing Indian authorities in an attempt to resolve the case, while the Omani government funded a hotel for the men, as well as treatment expenses and needs, through the Omani embassy in India.
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Last month, the men were given a lifeline after a prosecution witness failed to appear in court.
That significantly hampered the prosecution case. The remaining testimonies of witnesses were on the side of the Omani defendants. Now that the men have returned home, their families spoke of the party planning and excitement.
“We have already planned a big celebration at home, we have sent messages to all our family members and neighbours to meet us. We are also preparing my father’s favourite meals,” said Al Salhi’s son.
