Among more than 200 prisoners pardoned by Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said on the occasion of Renaissance Day on 23 July were 14 activists jailed for taking part in anti-government protests in 2011. The day before the anniversary of the sultan’s accession, it emerged that the amnesty would extend to the 14 so-called Sohar prisoners, who were serving terms of between 30 months and five years for their role in protests in the northern industrial port town. Charges against them included verbally insulting public servants, blocking traffic, causing public inconvenience and vandalising public property.