more power to the people - say what? (part deux)

You all may recall the post that I blogged maybe a week ago under the title 'more power to the people' and how it involved shutting down an Arabic language-based forum that is seemingly popular in the Sultanate of Oman under the name of Sablat el 3arab.

In relevance to this issue, there was a reply from the authorities - namely the District Attorney - denying that he or any part of the security forces had pushed the involved party (i.e.: Sa3eed Al Rashdy), to close down the website. In fact, there was a total contradictory announcement by the very same person saying that closing down the website was a personal decision of the owner and therefore no pressure was put on the webmaster. Contradictory, because it was the very same person who put up an announcement on his very website saying that he had been pushed to close down the website until all matters are tended to.

So, what are we to believe then? And who exactly should we follow?

After all, even if it was the case that he wasn't pushed into closing down the site then why all the drama and contradictory remarks? And if not, then it may seem our 'friend' may have had his arm twisted.

Either way; something's fishy.

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Links:

- Relevant article from Al Shabiba (in Arabic only)

- 'more power to the people' post