Mental health report key to police officer murder case, says Oman prosecutor

Muscat: Six months after the murder of an Omani police officer, the Department of Public Prosecution is waiting for the final report from Al Masarah Hospital on the mental health of the citizen who committed the act, the Times of Oman has learned.
The police officer was stabbed to death at mall in Seeb area of Oman on December 30, 2017.
An official source at the Department of Public Prosecution told the Times of Oman that the prosecution is waiting for the final report from the hospital to assess the mental health of the man.
“It [the case] is still in the trial process. The man was referred to Al Masarah Hospital for an evaluation. This is a very important step. The man must be evaluated to see if he is responsible for his behaviour or not,” the official said.
“If he is found to be mentally ill, there will be no conviction and the punishment will be stopped. He will then be transferred to Al Masarah if there is hope that he can be cured.”
In case he is not mentally ill, he will be immediately referred to the court to get 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 caused injuries to two others.
“The Oman Penal Law has two types of punishments for murder: life-sentence and the death penalty, depending on the circumstance of the case, as well as investigations,” said the official.
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 is that of kidnapping. According to the penal code, if a person is found guilty of kidnapping, he/she could be imprisoned for up to seven years.
Also, 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, who has been identified as Saud Al Rawahi, was awarded a medal of honour last February.
A statement from 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.”