Monday 14 / September / 2026
Muscat: The Public Prosecution has affirmed that Royal Decree No. 80/2026, changing the designation from “Attorney General Office” to “Public Prosecution,” does not represent a mere formal change but rather a legal measure reflecting the true nature of this institution, the character of its competences, and one consonant with the nature of its work and actual responsibilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Basic Law of the State and translating national priorities through the vision of Oman 2040.
Nasr bin Khamis Al Sawaee, the Attorney General, said that citizens and residents in the Sultanate of Oman live under a state of law and institutions founded upon the principles of freedom, equality and equal opportunity, underpinned by justice and the dignity of individuals and their safeguarded rights and freedoms.
He affirmed that the renewed Renaissance, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, has encompassed various domains to enhance the efficiency of state institutions and invest in Omani human capital.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Sawaee noted that the legal and judicial domains have kept pace with internal, regional and international transformations as an imperative necessity to ensure integration and harmony with global judicial systems in pursuit of expeditious justice.
He explained that the designation “Attorney General Office” was associated with the Anglo-Saxon system with the authority of accusation without investigation, which no longer reflects the actual institutional structure and its competences, whereas the designation “Public Prosecution” carries in its linguistic connotation the meaning of acting on behalf of society and representing it in initiating public action, investigating it, and disposing of it by filing, settling or shelving it, and executing penal judgments with independence and objectivity in accordance with the Latin model and international standards.
He touched upon the institution’s historical journey and its developmental progression since the 1970s as a department assuming the authority of accusation in crimes before Sharia judges — the walis at the time — then elevating its status to the “Office of Criminal Public Prosecution,” culminating in the stage of institutional establishment in 1999 with the issuance of the Public Prosecution Law by virtue of Royal Decree No. 92/99, the completion of its structure, the integrity of its pillars, and its exercise of the duties of its function and the competences entrusted to it with full impartiality.
Al Sawaee added: With the issuance of the Basic Law of the State by virtue of Royal Decree No. 6/2021, this institution was accorded constitutional standing, as Article 86 stipulated that it is part of the judicial authority, assuming public action in the name of society, overseeing the affairs of judicial control, and safeguarding the application of penal laws and the execution of judgments.
The Attorney General said the amendment of the designation came in response to international requirements and global classifications. It also aligns with the judicial systems in most countries of the world.
This supports international confidence in the institution and enhances the effectiveness of judicial and legal cooperation. It further reduces problematic issues related to characterizing its nature and avoids ambiguity in the translation of texts and agreements.
All of this entrenches the Sultanate of Oman’s standing internationally in the field of criminal justice and its role in laying the foundations of justice and security.
This legal measure thus reflects the true nature of the institution and the character of its competences, after it has been granted empowerment and generous support by His Majesty the Sultan, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council. -ONA
