Omani court sentences two tourists for sitting on nesting turtles

A court in Oman has sentenced two tourists to a month in prison for sitting on nesting turtles at Ras Al Had reserve and posting a video on social media.

Investigations showed that Vadim and Olena had climbed onto the backs of large turtles and mishandled hatchlings along the beach. 

The authorities said the jail term is for posting content that is "prejudicial to public order", while the fine of around AED 950 (100 Omani riyals) is for disturbing turtles. 

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— النيابة العامة - سلطنة عُمان (@oman_pp) October 4, 2026

Oman's Environmental Authority had previously shared that legal action was taken against the tourists. 

The authority also urged all citizens, residents, and tourists to comply with guidelines governing visits to sea turtle nesting sites and to refrain from touching, approaching, or disturbing sea turtles.

#توضيح | بشأن المقطع المتداول حول التعدي على السلاحف البحرية في منطقة رأس الحد، تتابع #هيئة_البيئة الواقعة، وقد تم اتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية اللازمة بحق الشخص المعني وفقًا للتشريعات النافذة، مؤكدةً عدم التهاون مع أي ممارسات تضر بالحياة الفطرية وموائلها الطبيعية.

Clarification |… pic.twitter.com/7BdOKgksFN

— هيئة البيئة - عُمان (@ea_oman) September 27, 2026